Omay Aimen
The complicated and contentious discussion around “missing persons” sheds light on the complex dynamics that exist inside communities. Half-truths and misinformation frequently obscure the truth regarding these events, creating a cacophony of competing narratives and intentional obfuscation.
The mysterious character of “missing persons” has provoked a wide range of responses, from knowledgeable viewpoints to those of amateurs. Unfortunately, lies and partial truths permeate the discourse among the confusion of conflicting accounts, providing little opportunity for in-depth investigation. The controversial nature of the subject has long been used by adversarial parties, such India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Baloch separatists, to incite strong feelings among the local population, especially against security personnel. These antagonistic narratives seek to create division and unrest in society by using the suffering of missing people as a stick with which to attack government agencies and incite unrest.
It is imperative to acknowledge the global reach of the missing persons issue in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. Developed nations such as the USA, UK, and Europe are among those affected. With over 600,000 people reported missing and 4,400 unexplained dead bodies recovered, the US has the greatest yearly number of missing persons cases, according to the US National Missing and unexplained Persons Report.
546,568 records of missing persons were entered into the US National Crime and Investigation Center in 2022 alone. In a similar vein, the UK records about 180,000 reports of missing persons annually, or one person every ninety seconds. A frightening 88 people go missing in India, Pakistan’s neighbor, every hour, for a total of 2,130 people per day and 64,851 people per month. Pakistan formed a Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances in 2011 in response to this problem. 77% of the registered instances have been successfully addressed by the commission, which has received 8,463 complaints on cases involving missing persons since its founding.
Security worries are growing amid political difficulties as terrorist attacks intensify in the face of political unpredictability. Nevertheless, in addition to traditional acts of terrorism, there is another subtle kind called fifth-generation warfare that seeks to manipulate public opinion in order to weaken and discredit a state. Recent occurrences, including a sit-in about missing people, first drew compassion from the public but eventually raised questions about the veracity of the list of missing people. This regrettable development serves as a reminder of the difficulties and perils inherent in contemporary combat when perceptions may be weaponized and the facts can be twisted to suit evil intentions.
In addition to the growing political difficulties, there is a discernible increase in the activity of different organizations amid political unpredictability, which raises security worries. Beyond physical threats, though, is a more subdued kind of terrorism known as “5th generation warfare,” which subverts a state through manipulation of perception. Things that have happened recently, including a well-known sit-in to protest missing people, originally made many sympathetic. But when the facts came to light, they raised questions about the whole list of people who went missing. Evidence points to a diabolical procedure whereby young people are enlisted and brainwashed against the military and the government before joining terrorist groups. They then cut off contact with their relatives, who go on to spread stories about the disappearance of their loved ones, thereby escalating the cycle of manipulation and deceit.
Undoubtedly, the problem of missing persons is a serious one, but recent developments highlight a concerning trend. Following the terrorist incident at the Gwadar Port Complex, Karim Jan’s disappearance—one of the eight people connected to the terrorist organization BSO since 2022—stands out. The fact that his family was involved in a recent rally in Islamabad complicates matters further. This episode is reminiscent of previous incidents, such the one involving terrorist Abdul-Wadood Satakzai, who was also reported absent for a considerable amount of time and was involved in the Mach assault.
Furthermore, incidents like as the elimination of Salaal Ahmed Shukrullah, Waseem Sajad, and Fareedullah during an operation by the Counter-Terrorism Department in Kharan highlight a troubling pattern: people who are reported missing frequently surface in relation to terrorist actions. While some might have died in these kinds of circumstances, others might have willingly gone to dangerous places like Afghanistan, Syria, or Iraq. Some may be in detention overseas or may have applied for political asylum abroad. Even while it’s possible that some people are being held and questioned in Pakistan, it’s clear that this problem is regularly used for political purposes.
Balochistan citizens must understand that political parties would always take advantage of the missing persons crisis to forward their agendas. Sincere communication with powerful parties is necessary if the real resolution is to be achieved. Presenting specific facts and statistics should be the main focus of efforts rather than politicizing the issue. Mahrang Baloch’s admission that some of the people murdered in Pakistan’s bombing in Iran were members of their organization begs an important question: can those people be deemed missing if their whereabouts were known? This acknowledgment highlights the necessity of tackling the complications of missing persons in Balochistan through a more transparent and fact-based approach.
—The writer frequently contributes to national and regional issues. She can be reached at: omayaimen333@gmail.com
