Quetta.
The high-profile abduction of a 17-year-old girl in Khuzdar named Asma Jattak, echoed in the Balochistan Assembly on February 7 as lawmakers strongly condemned the incident, urging authorities to take swift action for her recovery. They expressed their serious concern over the issue, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention by the authorities. Prince Omar Ahmedzai, a treasury bench member, announced that a tribal Jirga would be convened to discuss the matter and determine a strategy for ensuring the girl’s safe return. He stressed that the responsibility for her recovery lies not only with the authorities but also with tribal elders, who must play their role in resolving the crisis. Former Chief Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch expressed frustration over the government’s inaction, pointing out that the incident had sparked widespread protests.
For the past two days, women and children have blocked the Quetta-Karachi Highway, demanding justice in the case.He criticized the authorities for their inability to protect its residents and warned that such negligence was fueling public unrest. Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, Balochistan’s Irrigation Minister from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), assured lawmakers that the government was actively working on the case. He mentioned that Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti would be consulted after the Assembly session to coordinate efforts for the girl’s recovery. He acknowledged that the abduction of a young girl in a tribal society was deeply concerning and required urgent attention. Meanwhile, Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan, criticized the provincial administration for its failure to safeguard the lives and dignity of locals.
On the next day following the abduction, the girl was safely recovered by authorities during a raid at around 5 PM on Saturday in the Zehri Sunni Tehsil, which resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects linked to the abduction. The rescue operation was executed in the Sunni area of the Anjera Tehsil under the supervision of Commissioner Naeem Bazai of Kalat Division. Bazai confirmed the recovery to The Express Tribune, stating that, following directives from the Chief Minister of Balochistan, law enforcement agencies had carried out several raids late last night.
The disappearance of Asma Jatak had previously sparked widespread protests in the region, with her family and local residents blocking the Quetta-Karachi Highway at Nal for three consecutive days, demanding her safe recovery. The incident has also garnered significant attention on social media where hashtags like #JusticeForAsmaJatak trended, and had been a major topic of discussion in the Balochistan Assembly where lawmakers have condemned the abduction and boycotted a session in protest.
In response to the public outrage, the Chief Minister issued strict orders to ensure the safe recovery of the girl, and authorities have now pledged to pursue further investigations to bring all those responsible to justice.
News published in the Express Tribune on 8th February 2025
