Another ‘abduction’?

Even though intelligence agencies have informed the courts that no persons other than the 11 men taken from Adiala Jail are in their custody, people continue to be ‘picked up’ across the country. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed alarm over the abduction, apparently by intelligence agency personnel, of activist Siddique Eido from Pasni in Balochistan. He was taken away by several men in two vehicles. Mr Eido had been granted bail in the criminal case. The HRCP has launched an urgent appeal and called on people to write in to authorities.

Such appeals have been made before. The latest case highlights the fact that the tactics used by agencies have not changed. The wave of ‘abductions’ that began soon after 9/11 may have slowed down but it has not stopped. It is alarming that these abductions still take place in Balochistan, where nationalist groups say thousands remain missing. This can only add to the anger and angst that runs through the province. Most of those who have ‘disappeared’ in the country are Baloch who may, or may not, have links to nationalists.

The government must take up the issue of Mr Eido’s kidnapping as a matter of urgency. His whereabouts need to be ascertained and his illegal detention ended. The problem is complicated by the lack of command over agencies which have established themselves as an entity that exists beyond the authority of civilian governments. This must end. The Supreme Court has made it clear that agencies are obliged to follow the law of the land which makes it mandatory that anyone arrested be charged and specific procedures be followed. The failure to do so in the case of Siddique Eido is terrifying. It is time all those who have gone missing in Balochistan were tracked down and permitted to return home.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2010.