Tragic Loss: Baloch Community Mourns Activist Zeeshan Zaheer

In a somber turn of events, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) recently organized a poignant candlelight vigil to honor the memory of Zeeshan Zaheer, a dedicated youth activist whose untimely death has sent ripples of sorrow and outrage throughout Balochistan. His passing, described by the BYC as an “extrajudicial killing,” underscores the escalating human rights concerns in the beleaguered region and highlights the persistent struggle for justice and accountability.

The Tragic Loss of a Baloch Activist

Zeeshan Zaheer, a zonal member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, met a tragic end, with his body returned to his family after what the BYC asserts was an extrajudicial killing. This devastating incident is further compounded by the fact that Zeeshan’s father has been a victim of enforced disappearance since 2015. The BYC vehemently decried the state’s alleged failure to ensure his father’s safe return, instead delivering the son’s body under such harrowing circumstances.

The candlelight vigil, held in Shaal (Quetta), Balochistan, on July 12, 2025, drew people of all ages, united in their grief and their quiet protest. Attendees held candles and photographs of Zeeshan, a solemn tribute to a young life cut short. The collective sorrow and unwavering resolve of the community were palpable, as they remembered not just Zeeshan, but also the broader struggle for human rights and self-determination that defines the Baloch cause.

A Systematic Campaign of Repression

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has consistently maintained that Zeeshan’s killing is not an isolated incident but rather a grim part of a systemic campaign. They accuse Pakistani forces of employing such tactics to crush political resistance and silence the voices of the Baloch people who dare to speak out against injustices. This pattern of violence and enforced disappearances has been a long-standing grievance, drawing condemnation from international human rights organizations.

The BYC has repeatedly called upon international bodies, including the United Nations, to intervene and launch thorough investigations into what they term “institutionalized war crimes” in Balochistan. Their pleas highlight a desperate need for global attention and action to address the alleged atrocities and ensure accountability for those responsible.

Decades of Unrest and Human Rights Concerns

Balochistan has long been a focal point of intense human rights concerns. For decades, the region has endured cycles of violence, marked by separatist movements, a heavy military presence, widespread enforced disappearances, and profound economic marginalization. These multifaceted issues have consistently attracted the attention of human rights organizations, journalists, and international observers, all of whom have documented the dire situation on the ground.

Amnesty International, a prominent global human rights organization, recently reiterated its condemnation of the vicious cycle of violence plaguing Balochistan. On July 8, 2025, Amnesty International specifically highlighted the pervasive issues ranging from extrajudicial killings to abductions. In a powerful statement shared on social media, they urged Pakistani authorities to cease the weaponization of laws to unlawfully detain peaceful Baloch activists. The organization called for the immediate release of all unjustly detained individuals, including Gulzar and Mahrang Baloch, who has reportedly been held for over three months. Furthermore, Amnesty International stressed the critical need for urgent, independent, transparent, and thorough investigations into allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions, emphasizing that those suspected of responsibility must be brought to justice through fair trials.

Human rights groups have consistently accused Pakistani authorities of abducting civilians in Balochistan without due process, employing enforced disappearances as a tool to suppress dissent and intimidate communities in restive areas. While Pakistani authorities routinely deny these grave allegations, civil society organizations continue to denounce the security forces’ alleged role in systematic abductions targeting students, political workers, and local residents. The ongoing repression fuels a deep sense of injustice and fear within the community, making the calls for international scrutiny and intervention ever more urgent.

The death of Zeeshan Zaheer serves as a stark reminder of the immense human cost of conflict and political oppression in Balochistan. As the BYC and other human rights advocates continue their tireless fight for justice, the international community faces a pressing moral imperative to acknowledge these deeply disturbing patterns, ensure transparent investigations, and advocate for the fundamental human rights of all individuals in Balochistan. The path to peace and stability in the region undeniably hinges on addressing these core grievances and upholding the principles of justice and human dignity for the Baloch community.