Lahore: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Saturday expressed grave concern over the 'enforced disappearance' of a prominent Baloch social activist.
The whereabouts of Abdul Wahid Baloch have not been known since July 26 when he was offloaded from a passenger van headed to Karachi from Digri town in Mirpurkhas district of Sindh.
HRCP said in a statement that the continued enforced disappearances of citizens are exceedingly worrisome for the people and must be brought to an end forthwith.
"HRCP believes that the despicable practice can be ended only by taking away impunity for the perpetrators," it said.
According to Abdul Wahid's family, he was travelling with a friend.
At a toll plaza on the highway two men in plainclothes stopped the van and checked identity papers of the passengers. The men instructed the van driver to leave immediately. Abdul Wahid's friend saw him being taken to a blue vehicle, which then drove away, his family said.
"There is a police station and a Rangers checkpost right next to the toll plaza from where Abdul Wahid was taken away. The proximity of the place to the police station and the checkpost and the manner of his abduction lend support to the family's contention that Abdul Wahid has become a victim of enforced disappearance," the HRCP said.
It said Abdul Wahid is a social activist, who has organised several Baloch literary, musical and cultural events.
