Gulzar Dost Arrest: Baloch Activist Detained Amid Outrage in Pakistan
Pakistani authorities have arrested Gulzar Dost, a prominent Baloch social activist and convener of Kech Civil Society, triggering widespread condemnation.
Details of the Arrest
The arrest occurred during a late-night raid in Turbat by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and is viewed as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Balochistan. According to reports, Dost was taken from his home.
Reactions and Accusations
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has denounced the charges against Dost as politically motivated and has demanded his immediate release. The BYC states that Dost's arrest is connected to his advocacy for families of forcibly disappeared persons and victims of extrajudicial killings.
The organization accuses the CTD of employing unlawful tactics, including fabricated cases and forced disappearances, to suppress political opposition in the region. BYC described Dost as a peaceful citizen standing with the oppressed.
Broader Human Rights Concerns
The arrest comes amid growing concerns over human rights violations in Balochistan. Recent reports indicate that several men were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces in the Kech and Gwadar districts.
Furthermore, the alleged abduction and killing of Baloch activist Zeeshan Ahmed, who campaigned for his disappeared father, have fueled further outrage. Rights groups are highlighting what they describe as an escalating pattern of intimidation against Baloch activists. This incident underscores the volatile human rights situation in the region.