Voice for Baloch Missing Persons Demands Justice for 2014 Tutak Mass Graves Incident

Quetta:Nasrullah Baloch, Chairman of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, and Mama Qadeer Baloch have urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to reopen the investigation into the mass graves discovered in Tutak, Khuzdar, on January 25, 2014, emphasizing that this remains a violation of constitutional norms. They called for a fair trial to ensure justice for the victims.

During a press conference at the Missing Persons’ camp, the leaders reminded the public that the discovery of the mass graves had raised alarm among the families of missing persons, as thousands of Baloch have been forcibly disappeared since 2009. The bodies found in the mass graves, according to the leaders, were victims of extrajudicial killings by state forces.

They recounted the initial investigation into the case, which began when a local shepherd informed authorities about the graves. Security forces cordoned off the area, and a report was presented by the Deputy Commissioner of Khuzdar, revealing 13 mutilated bodies. However, Nasrullah Baloch alleged discrepancies in the number of bodies reported, citing initial press statements that 25 bodies had been found.

The leaders highlighted that despite Supreme Court involvement and the creation of a judicial commission under Justice Noor Mohammad Maskanzai to investigate the incident, the probe has remained incomplete, with critical details about the victims and the perpetrators still concealed. They further criticized the lack of transparency and accountability, particularly the absence of the provincial government’s actions following the judicial commission’s recommendations.

Nasrullah Baloch stressed that, according to Pakistani law, the Supreme Court has a constitutional duty to ensure justice for the victims of the Tutak incident. He urged the current Chief Justice to take immediate action by restarting hearings, ensuring proper DNA testing and autopsies of the bodies, and holding the responsible parties accountable for the atrocities.

The leaders also expressed concern over the continued lack of progress in the case, which they believe is being suppressed to hide the involvement of state institutions. They called for a swift investigation and urged that those responsible for the Tutak massacre be brought to justice.