30/06/2025
Where is Dr. Deen Jan Baloch? Voices Rise Against Enforced Disappearances:
A seminar titled "16 Years Without Dr. Deen Mohammad Baloch" was held at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday to mark the 16th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Baloch political activist Dr. Deen Mohammad Baloch.
The event drew a large audience and was moderated by his daughter, Mehlab Baloch. The gathering brought together prominent figures from journalism, civil society, and human rights organizations.
Key speakers included Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili, senior journalists Wusatullah Khan and Mazhar Abbas, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) representative Asad Butt, renowned activist and artist Sheema Kermani, Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) leaders including Dr. Baloch’s daughter Sammi Deen Baloch, BYC Karachi’s Lala Wahab Baloch, and progressive political activist Comrade Khurram Ali.
The seminar was attended by families of missing persons, journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, and civil society members, who voiced grave concern over the rising cases of enforced disappearances across the country. Speakers described the situation as a dire humanitarian crisis and called for immediate action.
Participants emphasized that the seminar symbolized a continued resistance against state repression and a reaffirmation of the demand for justice. They urged the authorities to recover Dr. Deen Mohammad Baloch and all other missing persons, and to bring those responsible for enforced disappearances to justice.
Many speakers highlighted the lifelong struggle of Sammi and Mehlab Baloch, who have been demanding their father's recovery since childhood, growing up outside press clubs across Pakistan. Despite 16 years of appeals, the state has failed to provide answers regarding Dr. Deen Jan Baloch's whereabouts.
Speakers condemned enforced disappearances as a permanent stain on the state's reputation. They said that such actions have not—and will not—succeed in silencing the struggle for rights in Balochistan. They noted that reports of disappearances and mutilated bodies surface daily from the province, but resistance continues despite the lack of media coverage and growing suppression.
Sammi Deen Baloch , speaking on behalf of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee , also condemned the heavy police presence, roadblocks, and harassment of attendees. Despite these tactics, she said, a significant number of people attended and raised their voices against enforced disappearances.
In her closing remarks, Sammi expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the speakers and attendees for standing in solidarity with their struggle and for being present on this important occasion.