Legal Proceedings For Baloch Rights Activist Delayed, Says Advocate

Advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari, representing Baloch rights activist Rashid Hussain, has raised concerns over the prolonged delay in the proceedings of her client’s case at the Islamabad High Court, according to a report by The Balochistan Post. Mazari highlighted that despite clear directives from the court to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, the delays persist, leaving Hussain’s family in a state of uncertainty.

Taking to the social media platform ‘X’, Mazari expressed frustration over the alleged lack of action from the Pakistani administration regarding the delays in Hussain’s case. She noted that the proceedings have been pending before the Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court since 2022, with repeated instructions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs going unheeded.

“On many dates, when the case has been fixed for hearing, the Court ‘cancels’ the case a day before or on the day of the hearing,” Mazari lamented. Despite requests for expedited hearings, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court continues to provide lengthy adjournments, disregarding the urgent nature of the case. Hussain’s mother anxiously awaits answers, yet the case has been postponed once again, now set for April 24.

According to reports cited by The Balochistan Post, Hussain was allegedly abducted by Pakistani defense agencies in the UAE with the assistance of backdoor diplomacy in 2018 and has been missing since then. The report further claims that Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has failed to provide any information regarding Hussain’s whereabouts or his custodial status.

Hussain, a Baloch rights activist, was detained in the UAE and subsequently extradited to Pakistan. However, details surrounding his extradition in 2019 remain undisclosed by the Pakistani authorities.

Mazari characterized the administration’s handling of Hussain’s case as negligent, reflecting indifference towards the enforced disappearances of its citizens, as reported by The Balochistan Post. She emphasized that the lack of transparency regarding Hussain’s situation is deeply concerning and indicative of broader systemic issues.

Additionally, Hussain’s sister, Fareeda Baloch, has corroborated reports of his extradition to Pakistan. She cited media footage showing an unidentified individual, presumably Hussain, being escorted from Karachi airport. Despite initial confirmations, Fareeda alleged that the authorities later changed their stance, labeling Hussain an absconder from an anti-terrorism court in Karachi.

Moreover, The Balochistan Post report detailed instances where Hussain’s family home was reportedly subjected to raids by Pakistani forces, and close relatives were detained. Fareeda interpreted these incidents as attempts to intimidate her family into dropping Hussain’s case.

The prolonged delays in the legal proceedings, coupled with the lack of transparency surrounding Hussain’s case, raise serious concerns about the treatment of Baloch activists and the broader issue of enforced disappearances in Pakistan. As Hussain’s family continues to seek answers and justice, advocacy efforts by Mazari and others highlight the importance of holding authorities accountable and ensuring the protection of human rights for all citizens.