Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday announced that the long-standing issue of missing persons in the province has been resolved on a permanent basis, saying that the government has introduced a clear, legal, and transparent framework to deal with the matter.
In a post on X, CM Bugti said the issue of missing persons had been politicised for years, with repeated attempts to blame the state and exploit the matter for political gains.
“Various people only played politics on the issue of missing persons, blamed the state, and tried to get votes. We have resolved it permanently for the first time,” he wrote.
He said that with the new legal framework in place, law enforcement agencies now have defined authority to investigate suspects, eliminating ambiguity and reducing the space for misinformation.
Suspects to Be Interrogated Under Legal Oversight
According to a statement issued by a Balochistan government spokesperson, suspects will be interrogated at designated interrogation centres under the supervision of an authorised police officer.
The spokesperson added that family members of suspects will be allowed to meet them during detention, a step aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with due process.
Key Laws Approved by Balochistan Cabinet
The chief minister’s remarks followed the 22nd meeting of the Balochistan provincial cabinet, which approved several major laws and rules related to security, governance, and counter-extremism.
The cabinet approved:
-
Balochistan Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Rules, 2025
-
Balochistan Prevention Detention and De-radicalisation Rules, 2025
-
Balochistan Witness Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2025
CM Bugti said good governance is only possible through effective enforcement of laws. He directed authorities to ensure strong prosecution of state cases and emphasised the need to protect complainants and witnesses, particularly in terrorism-related cases.
Context: 2025 Amendments to Anti-Terrorism Act
In June 2025, amendments were made to Balochistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act to address the issue of missing persons through a defined legal process.
The amendments were aimed at distinguishing genuine missing persons cases from individuals who had joined militant organisations. They introduced a structured detention period with oversight mechanisms to enhance transparency, counter misleading propaganda, and ensure accountability, while balancing security requirements with fundamental human rights.
