Protest Erupts in Turbat Over Enforced Disappearance on CPEC Highway

In Turbat, the heart of Balochistan's Kech district, a wave of unrest emerged as family members and local residents organized a sit-in protest on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) highway. The demonstration followed the alleged abduction of Yawar Habib, son of Habib Baloch, outside Turbat High Court earlier this month, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

The abduction reportedly took place in broad daylight, with eyewitnesses claiming Yawar was forcibly taken by unidentified men in plain clothes. His family expressed grave concerns over his safety, highlighting that this is not the first instance of his disappearance, having been abducted under similar circumstances before.

The protest saw demonstrators block traffic at Shapak, a critical juncture on the CPEC highway, as they demanded Yawar's safe return. They condemned the increasing trend of enforced disappearances across Balochistan, labeling it a severe breach of human rights. The protesters urged both national and international human rights organizations to take immediate action to pressure the authorities into addressing these injustices. The demonstration underscores a broader issue of unresolved disappearances in the region, causing families enduring distress and undermining trust in institutional systems.

(With inputs from agencies.)