Over 2,200 Missing Persons Recovered in Balochistan, Claims Caretaker Information Minister

Quetta: The Caretaker Minister of Information for Balochistan Jan Achakzai has asserted in a media briefing that out of the 2,700 missing persons in the province, 2,200 have been successfully recovered. However, he did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the recoveries.

During the briefing, the minister highlighted that at present, 468 individuals are reported as missing in Balochistan. He cautioned against the exaggeration of these statistics, attributing it to certain elements with political motives ahead of the upcoming general elections.

Achakzai accused some elements in the country of a pre-planned conspiracy to propagate against state institutions. He emphasized the commitment of both provincial and federal governments to ensuring the recovery of missing persons. However, he alleged that militant organizations were exploiting the issue to exert pressure on state institutions and tarnish their image internationally.

In a broader context, Achakzai compared the number of missing persons in various countries, citing India with 350,000 missing persons, the US with half a million, and the United Kingdom with 100,000.

Read more: Japan Quake: Over 100 dead, hundreds missing in devastating earthquake

The minister criticized Dr Mahrang Baloch, a member of the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC), accusing her of attempting to go abroad and drawing parallels with Malala Yousafzai. Dr Mahrang Baloch is leading the BYC camp in Islamabad as protests for the recovery of Baloch missing persons continue in the federal capital.

Last week, Khairpur district police booked Dr Baloch and 300 others in an FIR under charges of sedition allegedly committed during their ongoing protest, claiming that she and her associates were spreading anti-Pakistan sentiments and inciting rebellion among the youth.

Read more: Balochistan Nationalist Army commander among 70 rebels lay down arms