Mehrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch accuse Pak officials of attempted kidnapping

Baloch rights activists Mehrang Baloch and Sammy Deen Baloch alleged that they were barred from traveling to New York for a Time magazine event, where they were invited along with other leaders named as the publication’s Most Influential Emerging Leaders of the Year.

In a post on Twitter, Mehrang Baloch alleged that she was detained at the airport “without any legal justification” and called it a violation of her fundamental right to freedom of movement.

he/she referred to the move as an attempt to “silence Baloch voices heard internationally and hide the human rights abuses that have been taking place in Balochistan for decades.”

“Today, I was scheduled to fly to New York to attend @TIME Magazine’s ceremony, where I was invited along with other leaders named as TIME’s Most Influential Emerging Leaders of the Year. However, I was unjustly stopped at Karachi International Airport without any legal or legitimate reason, which is a clear violation of my fundamental right to freedom of movement,” Mehrang Baloch said in the post.

he/she said, “There was no legitimate purpose to stop my visit, except to prevent the voice of the Baloch from being heard internationally, to control the flow of information about the situation in Balochistan, and to stop what has been happening in Balochistan for decades.” Human rights violations should be hidden.”

he/she said this reflects the state’s growing fear and insecurity towards Baloch voices.

“By denying me the right to travel, the Pakistani government seeks to prevent me from exercising my rights to freedom of expression and movement. This arbitrary travel ban is part of a growing crackdown on Baloch human rights defenders and activists. I will fight against this unjust restriction on my movement rights,” she said.

Sammy Deen Baloch recalled the experience in a post on X where she alleged that she was subjected to harassment and verbal abuse. he/she claimed that after leaving the airport he/she was ambushed by a group of plainclothes male police officers and unidentified persons.

Sammi Deen Baloch claimed that she was searched and harassed and Mehrang Baloch’s mobile phone, passport and other belongings were confiscated by the authorities.

“We have reached home safe and sound. Mehrang Baloch is with me and he/she is safe. Sammi Deen Baloch said, several male police officers in plain clothes, with the intention of making us disappear, stopped our car minutes after we left Karachi airport.

“After much protest from us they left us on a deserted dark road. Male police officers and some people in civil dress pulled our clothes and dupattas, searched us, used abusive language and checked our luggage. They confiscated Mehrang Baloch’s mobile phone, passport and other items. They snatched our car keys, tortured the driver and abused us, before we were left stranded on a deserted highway at midnight. Later, several cars and unidentified persons continued to hit and harass us,” she said.

he/she urged everyone to “speak out against this madness and injustice”, saying, “This was a deliberate attempt to harass, intimidate and silence us, but we refuse to remain silent and cowed by this sheer barbarity.” Are not.” We all must speak out against this madness and injustice. If this has happened to us today then it can happen to you tomorrow too. Let us join hands and raise our voices together.”

Recently, during the ongoing 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sammul Baloch, representing the Baloch National Movement (BNM), condemned Pakistan for serious human rights violations in Balochistan.

his/her speech detailed the ongoing repression and called for international attention and immediate action to deal with the situation.

Sammul Baloch highlighted the widespread practice of forced disappearance, where thousands of Baloch civilians have been abducted by Pakistan’s security forces, and their whereabouts are still unknown.

he/she cited data from Baloch human rights organization PANK, which reported that 269 individuals – men, women and children – were abducted between January 2024 and June 2024. Additionally, 25 people were extrajudicially murdered and 160 people were tortured.

These enforced disappearances in Balochistan are not isolated incidents; They reflect a broader campaign against dissent. Baloch activists allege that the military and intelligence agencies are carrying out these kidnappings to suppress the demand for autonomy. This situation creates fear in local communities and further reduces trust in state institutions.