The murder of journalist Abdul Latif in Balochistan underscores the grave dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones. Rights groups call it part of a systemic campaign to silence dissent in the province.
BY PC Bureau
Abdul Latif, a prominent journalist from Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, was allegedly killed on Saturday after resisting an attempted abduction by unidentified gunmen. The fatal attack occurred inside his home in Mashkay, Awaran district, in full view of his wife and children, according to a statement by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee.
Latif, known for his fearless coverage of human rights abuses and conflict in Balochistan, had worked with outlets including Daily Intikhab and Aaj News. Local police confirmed that armed men stormed his residence, attempting to forcibly abduct him. “He resisted their attempt and was shot dead on the spot,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Daniyal Kakar. The assailants fled the scene, and no arrests have been made. An investigation is ongoing.
The killing has sparked outrage among journalist groups and human rights advocates. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the murder, calling it another blow to press freedom in the region.
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Tragically, Latif’s family has been targeted before. His eldest son, Saif Baloch, along with seven other relatives, was abducted months earlier and later found dead—adding to concerns of systematic targeting of dissenting voices in Balochistan.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee denounced the killing as part of a broader campaign of fear and suppression. “This is not merely a personal loss—it is a tactic of terror intended to silence an entire people,” the group said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). They urged international bodies, including the United Nations and press freedom watchdogs, to intervene.
A journalist from Mashkay been killed by Pakistani army and ISI backed Death Squad. He was brutally killed in front of his family. @UN_HRC @CNN @BBCWorld pic.twitter.com/H1wP6KxmCW
— Dr., Baloch (@Free_Baloch144) May 24, 2025
Shalee Baloch, organiser of the Baloch Women Forum, also condemned the incident. “The brutal killing of Abdul Latif underscores the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan. It reflects a pattern of enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings targeting the Baloch community,” she wrote on X.
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She called on the global community to break its silence: “The world must recognise the magnitude of these atrocities and demand accountability. Continued inaction only enables further bloodshed. Justice must prevail.”
The incident is being widely viewed as part of Pakistan’s alleged “kill and dump” policy—an unofficial campaign that critics say targets journalists, intellectuals, and activists in the troubled province.
Let me know if you’d like a timeline of events, a map of the region, or a summary of Balochistan’s conflict history.
