ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in its latest report has observed that incidents of disappearance in Balochistan continue unabated and the province remains to be short-changed politically.

The detailed report, titled Balochistan: Neglected Still, has been released after a fact-finding mission visited Balochistan.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the HRCP notes that incidents of enforced disappearance continue and in most cases, victims’ families say they are afraid of communicating their cases to the authorities.

A disconcerting trend is that of women being “disappeared” in certain areas, such as Dera Bugti and Awaran. Yet these cases tend not to be reported or recorded.

The HRCP investigation reveals that hundreds of coal mines are being operated by people who possess neither the financial resources nor the technological skills to provide for operational safety or deal with emergencies. The mission found that security agencies impose an unofficial security charge on per tonne production from coal mines, which the mine owners and labour unions alike have deemed extortion.

The HRCP believes that the level of the Frontier Corps’ presence in Balochistan and its degree of control undermines the provincial government and civilian administration. The unwarranted involvement and permanent presence of security personnel in educational institutions like Balochistan University must also end.

According to the statement, the HRCP feels that the provincial government and civilian administration must run the affairs of the province without any undue interference.

In addition, a law that criminalises enforced disappearances, punishes the perpetrators and compensates the victim families must be enacted expeditiously.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2019