Islamabad, Aug 8: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised alarm over the worsening human rights situation and erosion of civic freedoms in Balochistan, warning that the crisis threatens both public trust and national cohesion.
In a new fact-finding report titled “Balochistan’s Crisis of Trust,” HRCP highlights a pattern of enforced disappearances, shrinking civic space, and increasing impunity, all of which fuel political instability in the province. Enforced disappearances emerged as the most urgent concern, with testimonies from political leaders, civil society members, and even law enforcement officials pointing to a systematic practice that undermines the rule of law and public confidence in state institutions.
The HRCP called for independent investigations into reprisals against those who speak out against these disappearances and urged authorities to halt the criminalisation of human rights advocacy.
The report criticised the recently passed Anti-Terrorism (Balochistan Amendment) Act 2025, which allows 90-day detentions without effective judicial oversight. HRCP warned that the law raises serious concerns over torture and abuse, and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
Electoral manipulation and the political marginalisation of nationalist parties have also eroded democratic credibility in Balochistan, the report stated. HRCP called for transparency and accountability in all electoral processes and for the depoliticisation of administrative structures.
The commission further urged the government to demilitarise civilian law enforcement and replace paramilitary reliance with a unified, rights-compliant police force. Civil society groups like the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, often equated with militancy, should be protected—not vilified.
HRCP emphasised restoring constitutional protections under the 18th Amendment, respecting provincial autonomy, and ensuring local consultation in resource management projects. Without a rights-based and inclusive political solution, the HRCP warned, the situation in Balochistan could spiral further, posing a threat to national unity.
