In a week marked by tragedy and turmoil, Pakistan’s restive regions of Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have been rocked by violence, state crackdowns, and mounting allegations of human rights abuses. The latest incidents, reported by The Balochistan Post and other regional outlets, have left dozens dead and many more in fear, as families and rights groups call for accountability from the Pakistani authorities.
The cycle of violence in Balochistan took a grim turn this week with the discovery of four bodies—those of Quddous Baloch, Neik Saal Baloch, Nazar Arz Muhammad, and Janzaib Baloch. According to The Balochistan Post, the first three men, all drivers involved in cross-border trade, were detained on September 30, 2025, by Pakistani security forces and members of a pro-government militia often referred to locally as a “death squad.” Their bullet-riddled bodies were found the following day in the Sorap Dam area of Buleda, Kech district. Earlier reports had already highlighted the abduction of Nazar Arz Muhammad by the same militia, stoking fears that state actors are either complicit in or turning a blind eye to these abuses.
In a separate but chillingly similar case, Janzaib Baloch, a laborer from Babbar Shoor in Pasni, Gwadar district, was taken from his home on September 28. His body was recovered near the Makuran Coastal Highway, close to Layri Hassan Hotel in Uthal, Lasbela district, days later. The pattern—enforced disappearances followed by the recovery of mutilated bodies—has become a distressingly familiar one in Balochistan, rights activists say.
Families of the victims and human rights organizations have been vocal in their accusations, squarely blaming Pakistani security forces and state-backed militias for what they describe as systematic violence and a campaign of terror. “We have seen this happen again and again, and yet there is no justice, no transparent investigation,” said a representative from a local rights group, echoing the frustration and despair felt by many in the province.
The ongoing tragedy in Balochistan has not gone unnoticed outside the region. International watchdogs have repeatedly criticized Pakistan for its handling of the crisis, urging authorities to address the root causes of unrest and to stop turning a blind eye to the mounting evidence of extrajudicial killings and disappearances. Yet, despite these appeals, both the violence and the impunity appear to persist.
Meanwhile, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has erupted in its own wave of unrest. According to reports published on October 4, 2025, the region has seen violent protests that have left at least 12 people dead. The unrest, as detailed by news agencies, is fueled by a toxic mix of economic dissatisfaction, high unemployment, and anger over governance. Earlier in the week, thousands took to the streets in protest against the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, decrying not just the lack of economic opportunity but also alleged abuses of power by the authorities.
The response from the state was swift and, according to many, brutal. Security forces cracked down on demonstrators, resulting in at least eight deaths during the protests, as confirmed by multiple sources. The violence didn’t end there: the funerals of those killed drew thousands of mourners, effectively bringing daily life in PoK to a standstill. The region-wide strike organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee underscored just how widespread the anger and frustration have become.
As the dust settled, the death toll rose—at least 12 people lost their lives in the violent clashes, with many more injured or detained. Security forces, for their part, have struggled to restore order, but the underlying causes of discontent remain unresolved. “The unrest is driven by growing dissatisfaction over economic conditions and governance,” reported one regional outlet, capturing the sentiment on the ground.
India, for its part, has condemned what it calls Pakistan’s “brutal crackdown” in PoK, highlighting not only the rights abuses but also what it describes as the ongoing “plunder of resources” in the disputed territory. The condemnation adds another layer to the already fraught relationship between the two countries, and underscores the international dimension of the crisis.
What’s particularly striking about this week’s events is how they reveal the interconnectedness of economic hardship, political instability, and human rights abuses in Pakistan’s marginalized regions. In Balochistan, the pattern of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings has created a climate of fear and mistrust. Families are left searching for answers, while rights groups struggle to keep the spotlight on abuses that have, for too long, gone unpunished.
In PoK, the grievances may be rooted in economic frustration, but they have quickly escalated into a broader indictment of governance and state authority. The region-wide strike and mass funerals are not just a response to the immediate violence, but a cry for dignity and justice from a population that feels ignored and oppressed.
The Pakistani government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, now faces a daunting challenge: how to restore order without further alienating already disaffected populations. Thus far, the response has largely been one of force rather than dialogue, a strategy that many observers warn is likely to backfire in the long run. As one protester in PoK put it, “We want jobs and justice, not bullets.”
For families in Balochistan, the pain is compounded by a sense of abandonment. Despite repeated appeals for transparent investigations and accountability, there has been little progress. The names of the victims—Quddous Baloch, Neik Saal Baloch, Nazar Arz Muhammad, and Janzaib Baloch—join a long and growing list of those who have disappeared or been killed under mysterious circumstances.
Rights organizations have called on the Pakistani authorities to take immediate steps to investigate the killings, end the use of death squads, and address the root causes of unrest in both Balochistan and PoK. “Accountability and justice are not just slogans—they are necessities if Pakistan is to move forward as a nation,” said a representative from an international human rights group.
As the world watches, the people of Balochistan and PoK continue to demand answers. Their stories—of loss, resistance, and a longing for justice—serve as a stark reminder that peace and stability cannot be achieved through force alone. Only by listening to the voices of those most affected can meaningful change begin to take root.
