By 
18-11-2024
Markela Ndocaj
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
The abduction of Musawir Khan has elevated a clear social malfunction that Balochistan’s population is not eager to let pass by: the government has shown clear signs of an unsatisfying service to its people ever since the disappearance of the nine-year-old child, who is still yet to be found. It has already been a week since numerous protesters have been holding sit-ins in hope of his safe return.
Musawir Khan, nine-year-old son of a jeweller, was abducted on November 15th by armed men whose vehicle was intercepted near his home in the Patel Bagh area. The next hearing is to be held on November 28th, as on November 21st the constitutional bench ended up summoning the Inspector Generals of Police and Home Secretaries of all provinces after the discovery and denouncement.
Between 2022 and 2023, Balochistan recorded an average of 26.5 abduction incidents (followed by a significantly low number at the beginning of 2024). Although nearly all the abductees ended up being rescued (32), the government still failed to convict the perpetrators, even when timely arrested (75.5). Most of these incidents act as a result of economic instability, in fact, they usually end up with ransom deals (GCR, 2024).
Ransom backed kidnappings in Pakistan are driven by factors that can either be political, social, or economic, accentuated by fragile law enforcement and community awareness (GCR, 2024).
The provincial president of Quetta’s Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, along with allied leaders and representatives of the business community at the protest camp, announced that on November 25th, a strike would be happening across the province. Furthermore, the Balochistan education department, followed by all private institutions, announced closure of all educational institutions across the province.
Sources and further readings:
Dr. Imam, S., K., Centre for Governance Research (CGR) Kidnapping for Ransom: A Growing Challenge in Pakistan (May 17th, 2024).
Available at: https://cgr.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kidnapping-for-Ransom-Paper.pdf. Accessed November 25th, 2024.
Piracha, R., (VoicePk) ‘Musawir Khan Abduction: First suo moto case by constitutional bench’ (November 21st, 2024).
Available at: https://voicepk.net/2024/11/musawwir-khan/. Accessed November 25th, 2024.
Shahid, S., (Dawn), ‘Strike across Balochistan against boy’s abduction today’ (November 25th, 2024).
Available at https://www.dawn.com/news/1874650/strike-across-balochistan-against-boys-abduction. Accessed November 25th, 2024.
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