Introduction
Balochistan is witnessing an alarming escalation of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and targeted attacks against intellectuals, educators, and civilians. These acts, carried out with impunity, highlight the systematic repression of the Baloch indigenous people for decades by Pakistani security forces and their affiliated death squads. This report investigates three recent cases: the extrajudicial killings of Allah Dad Wahid Baloch, Hayat Sabzal, and the targeted attack on Sharif Zakir Baloch. These incidents are not isolated; they form part of a broader campaign of intimidation and violence aimed at silencing dissent and erasing Baloch voices from political and intellectual discourse.
Extrajudicial Execution of Allah Dad Wahid Baloch
Background
On the night of February 4, 2025, Allah Dad Wahid, an MPhil scholar from Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad, was tragically shot and killed in Turbat, Balochistan. His assassination marks yet another brutal attack on Baloch intellectuals, continuing a pattern of violence that has plagued the region. This killing is part of an ongoing state-led campaign to systematically target Baloch scholars, students, and activists in what they describe as an act of genocide. Allah Dad was not just an academic; he was a historian, translator, and intellectual who dedicated his life to nurturing critical thought within Baloch society. His death has caused profound shock and sorrow within the Baloch community. Activists, scholars, and students have expressed outrage over the assassination, mourning the loss of another intellectual silenced by violence. It is important to note that Allah Dad Wahid had been subjected to repeated threats by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Military Intelligence (MI). He was coerced into presenting himself before military authorities on multiple occasions. Additionally, his academic journey was severely delayed due to the constant pressure, including being forced to travel from Islamabad to military offices in Turbat, which ultimately led to him being forced to abandon his studies.
Police Report
Allah Dad was targeted while sitting with a friend at the Al Naeem Hotel (Gamshaad Hotel) in Turbat Bazaar. Two armed attackers on motorcycles opened fire on him, killing him instantly. His friend, fortunately, was unharmed in the attack. Later his body was shifted to the district hospital, and confirmed that he had suffered multiple bullet wounds, which led to his immediate death. His body was later handed over to his family for burial.
Investigation Findings
Allah Dad Wahid was deliberately targeted by state- backed armed groups operating in Kech.
This killing was premeditated and appears to be part of a coordinated effort to silence educated Baloch individuals who challenge the state’s narrative.
The assassination fits into a larger trend where Baloch scholars, students, and activists are being systematically eliminated under a broader campaign of repression. Human rights organizations and Baloch activists have long documented the extrajudicial killings of Baloch intellectuals, as part of a deliberate effort to suppress political dissent and Baloch identity.
Who Was Allah Dad Baloch
Allah Dad Baloch was a graduate of Karachi University and an MPhil scholar at Quaid-i-Azam University. He was deeply committed to reading, writing, and translating significant political and historical works into the Balochi language. He was part of a growing community of Baloch intellectuals dedicated to preserving their culture, history, and national identity. In recent years, however, Baloch students in Islamabad and Lahore have faced increasing harassment, surveillance, and intimidation by security forces, forcing many to abandon their academic pursuits.
Extrajudicial Killing and Enforced Disappearance of Hayat Sabzal Baloch: A Grave Escalation of Baloch Genocide Policies
The policy of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan has seen a disturbing increase in recent days, exacerbating the already existing “kill and dump” strategy employed by the Pakistani state. On February 12, 2025, the BYC’s protest entered its third day at Shaheed Fida Chowk in Turbat, highlighting the growing concern over the systematic targeting of Baloch activists and civilians. As part of their ongoing campaign, the BYC organized a sit-in and press conference, involving the families of victims of forced disappearances, including that of Hayat Sabzal. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was set up to investigate the case, and consultations were held with the Turbat District Police Officer (DPO). In the days that followed, the DPO assured the families that Hayat Sabzal would soon be returned to them, declaring him innocent. However, the situation took a tragic turn when, instead of being safely returned to his family, Hayat Sabzal’s lifeless and tortured body was found discarded in Panjgur.
The Enforced Disappearance of Hayat Sabzal Baloch
Date of Disappearance: July 3, 2024
Date of Killing: February 11, 2025 (Body recovered)
Location: Panjgur Balochistan
Perpetrators: Pakistani security forces
Hayat Sabzal Baloch was forcibly disappeared by Pakistan’s security forces on July 3, 2024, in the Meeri Bohag area of Turbat district Kech. His family relentlessly searched for him, but their pleas were met with silence from the authorities. His body, riddled with bullet wounds, was discovered on February 11, 2025, near Grade Station in Panjgur, confirming the suspicions of his unlawful detention, torture, and extrajudicial killing.
Despite previous promises made by officials, including the Deputy Commissioner who filed a General Inquiry Report (GIT) and downplayed the seriousness of Hayat Sabzal’s case, the reality of his fate became painfully evident. The families of Hayat Sabzal and 10 other victims of enforced disappearances in Turbat gathered outside the District Administration Office (DC Office), demanding justice and answers. Authorities had previously assured these families that their loved ones would be released soon, but the discovery of Hayat Sabzal’s body starkly contradicted these promises, raising serious questions about the commitment of the state to uphold justice.
Investigation Findings
Months of Illegal Detention and Torture: Hayat Sabzal was subjected to months of illegal detention by Pakistani security forces, who ultimately tortured and executed him extrajudicially.
Pattern of Enforced Disappearances: His case follows a disturbing trend in Balochistan, where individuals who are forcibly disappeared by the state are later found dead, often bearing signs of severe torture and abuse. These enforced disappearances are a widespread tool used by the Pakistani state to suppress political dissent, intimidate activists, and eliminate Baloch voices advocating for justice and independence.
State’s Policy of Fear: The continued use of enforced disappearances by the Pakistani state serves as a tool to spread fear among the Baloch population, silencing those who dare to speak out against the repression they face.
Targeted Attacks on Sharif Zakir Baloch – A Growing Pattern of Violence Against Baloch Educators
Introduction
Sharif Zakir Baloch, the principal of Sachan Grammar School, a renowned private educational institution in Turbat, Balochistan, is a prominent social figure dedicated to the advancement of education in the region. However, in recent months, he has become a target of violent attacks, believed to be linked to state-backed death squads.
Background
Sharif Zakir Baloch has been an advocate for education in Turbat for many years, His school, initially named Bolan and later Sachan Grammar School, has played a significant role in shaping the educational landscape of the city. Sharif ‘s work as an educator has made him a target for those who oppose progressive voices and the promotion of education in Balochistan, where state-backed repression has long been a tool to silence dissenting views. In a disturbing trend, Sharif ‘s has faced multiple attacks on his life and his family. These incidents appear to be part of a larger effort to eliminate educated voices, as evidenced by the ongoing harassment and violence against him.
The Attacks on Sharif Zakir
Grenade and Gun Assault on Sharif ‘s Residence
The first major attack on Sharif ‘s occurred on February 1, 2025, when his residence was targeted by unidentified assailants who hurled a hand grenade before opening fire. While no casualties were reported in this initial assault, the left Sharif and his family shaken and underscored the escalating threats against him.
The assailants’ use of both a grenade and gunfire raised concerns about the intent behind the attack. The police confirmed the assault but did not provide further details on the identity of the perpetrators. Local sources, however, pointed to the possibility of involvement by “state-backed death squads” — a term used by local activists to describe groups believed to be operating with the tacit support of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies.
Shooting and Injuries – February 11, 2025
On February 11, 2025, Sharif was once again targeted, this time in a shooting incident. Armed assailants on motorcycles opened fire on him in the Koshk Malikabad area of Turbat. Sharif sustained injuries to his legs and was rushed to the Teaching Hospital in Turbat for treatment.
Abduction of Sharif ‘s Family Members
In the days leading up to the shooting, Sharif ‘s son, Kamil Sharif, and his relative, Ehsan Sarwar, were forcibly disappeared. These abductions, which have remained unresolved, serve as another grim indication of the danger faced by Sharif and his family. The disappearances of Sharif ‘s loved ones add a layer of urgency to the attacks, underscoring the pattern of intimidation and violence that has surrounded his family.
The Civil Society Response
In the wake of the latest attack, Turbat’s civil society has taken a firm stand. On February 12, 2025, a complete shutter-down strike was organized in response to the shooting. Shops, businesses, financial institutions, and schools across the city closed in solidarity with Zakir. Judicial proceedings were also halted as the local bar associations, including the Kech Bar and Makran Bar Associations, called for a boycott of court activities.
The Broader Context of Violence and Repression in Balochistan
The repeated attacks on Sharif Zakir Baloch, the killing of Allah Dad, and the extrajudicial killing of Hayat Sabzal are part of a growing pattern of violence and repression targeting Baloch educators, intellectuals, and activists. These incidents are not isolated; rather, they reflect a systematic effort to suppress dissent and curb the intellectual and political awakening of the Baloch people.
For decades, Balochistan has been a region marked by state-led violence, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the silencing of voices advocating for human rights, education, and political autonomy. The targeting of individuals like Sharif , Allah Dad, and Hayat Sabyal underscores the risks faced by those who challenge the status quo or work to empower their communities through education and awareness.
The international community and human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about the situation in Balochistan. However, the lack of concrete action and accountability has emboldened state forces and their proxies, perpetuating a climate of lawlessness and repression. Without urgent intervention and sustained pressure on the authorities responsible, the targeting of Baloch intellectuals and activists will likely continue, further eroding the possibility of a just and peaceful resolution to the crisis in Balochistan.
Paank’s Demands
The Baloch human rights organization, Paank, has issued the following demands:
Immediate cessation of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Baloch intellectuals, educators, and activists.
Independent and impartial investigations into the killings and attacks on Baloch scholars.
Accountability for Pakistani security forces and affiliated groups responsible for human rights violations.
Immediate release of all forcibly disappeared individuals and a transparent legal process for any detained individuals.
International intervention and monitoring to ensure the protection of human rights in Balochistan.
Conclusion
The extrajudicial killings and attacks on Baloch educators are part of a systematic campaign to suppress the Baloch people’s political consciousness.
The recent assassination of Allah Dad, an MPhil scholar from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, and the targeted attack on Sharif Zakir, a well-known educationist from Turbat, reflect a broader pattern of systematically eliminating Baloch intellectuals. Scholars, educators, journalists, poets, and political thinkers who challenge state narratives, expose human rights violations, and speak truth to power have long been met with violence and persecution.
This relentless targeting of the Baloch intelligentsia underscores the state’s efforts to silence critical voices and erase a rich intellectual tradition. From Saba Dashtiyari to Allah Dad, the Baloch nation has lost some of its most brilliant minds under the shadow of systemic repression. These individuals were not only scholars and thinkers but also guardians of history, culture, and national identity.
Their contributions to knowledge, creativity, and social awareness were invaluable, making their loss an irreplaceable wound to the collective consciousness of the Baloch people.
This report highlights the urgent need for independent investigations and accountability to end the cycle of violence against Baloch intellectuals. Without immediate intervention, the systematic elimination of Baloch voices will continue, threatening the intellectual and cultural survival of an entire generation.