For nearly a week now, the Vice Chancellor Dr Razzaq Sabir, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Manzoor Baloch, Assistant Professor Dr Irshad Baloch, and staff members of Gwadar University have remained missing after reportedly being taken away by unidentified individuals near Mastung, Balochistan, while travelling from Gwadar to Quetta. (Daily Dawn Newspaper). Mastung, Balochistan, has unfortunately become one of those places where, at any moment, any armed group can do anything with impunity, a region deeply scarred by conflict and fear. (The Friday Times)
For days, these educators have remained unaccounted for. No one truly knows where they are, in what condition they are being held, nor what kind of suffering they are enduring. Only their families, students, and colleagues can understand the pain and anxiety of waiting in uncertainty. However, the government appears painfully unconcerned about the lives and safety of these humble professors, and no progress has been made so far.
The professors are among the most amiable and respected people anyone could ever meet. I personally know Professor Waja Dr Manzoor Baloch; he is not only my mentor but also a respected friend [Sanagt]. I always call him Waja, and he calls me Chairman Jan. Just last month, he visited Islamabad. We spoke briefly, and Dr Zafar and I had planned to host them for dinner, but due to their official commitments alongside the Vice Chancellor, he later messaged me saying they were returning and that we would meet next time.
The protection of academics and intellectuals should never become secondary in any society that hopes to survive with dignity and humanity
Dr Manzoor is a thoughtful human being, an excellent researcher, and an inspiring academic mentor. Although he was not my class teacher, I have learned as much from him as from many of my regular academic teachers. The beauty of Waja and the others who are missing is that they treat everyone with dignity and respect. Dr Manzoor and Dr Irshad’s offices at Gwadar University were always open to me when I was serving with UN-UNDP in Gwadar.
Ever since this incident happened, I have been deeply disturbed. The sorrow of Gwadar University’s missing professors was followed the very next day by the killing of Professor Ghamkwar Hayat. Tragically, such incidents are no longer shocking in Balochistan; they are becoming routine. Balochistan today feels like a dark valley of conflict where no segment of society is safe, not even teachers, poets, writers, intellectuals, or politicians. Is this truly destined to become the fate of the people of Balochistan?
The growing hostility towards educators in Balochistan must stop. These are the very people who bring light into society. If these lamps are extinguished, there will be nothing but darkness. It is through such teachers, mentors, and intellectuals that we can build a peaceful and prosperous Balochistan for both Baloch and Pashtun generations to come, a future where our children remember us with pride instead of grief.
The silence and indifference of the Government of Balochistan raise serious questions. The protection of academics and intellectuals should never become secondary in any society that hopes to survive with dignity and humanity.