Mama Qadeer Baloch, vice-chairman of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) and a prominent advocate for Baloch rights, was laid to rest in his native town of Surab on Sunday. He passed away a day earlier at the age of 85 after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a powerful legacy of peaceful resistance and human rights advocacy in Balochistan.
Funeral prayers were offered at the Eidgah ground in Surab, after which he was buried at the local graveyard. Hundreds of mourners attended the ceremony, including political leaders, lawyers, human rights activists, students, and residents from different parts of the province. Throughout the gathering, participants paid tribute to his unwavering commitment and personal sacrifices.
For decades, Mama Qadeer remained at the forefront of a non-violent movement highlighting enforced disappearances and alleged human rights violations in Balochistan. Despite facing immense personal hardship, he continued to raise his voice for missing persons and their families. As a result, his activism gained national and international attention and kept the issue alive in public discourse.
VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch confirmed his passing and said that Mama Qadeer had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Quetta for the past two months. He added that the activist’s struggle remained widely recognised within human rights circles across the country. Over the years, the VBMP camp on Quetta’s Adalat Road became a lasting symbol of protest and resilience under his leadership.
Mutilated body of his son
A turning point in Mama Qadeer’s life came in November 2011, when he received the mutilated body of his son, Jalil Reiki, an information secretary of the Baloch Republican Party. Instead of silencing him, the tragedy strengthened his resolve. Subsequently, the advocacy group intensified its efforts to support families facing similar losses.
In 2013, Mama Qadeer led a historic long march on foot from Quetta to Islamabad. Joined by men and women from Balochistan, the march demanded justice for missing persons and accountability from the state. Since its inception, VBMP has consistently highlighted the disappearances of students, political activists, and civilians.
Tributes pour in from across Pakistan
Following his death, tributes poured in from political leaders, lawyers, journalists, and rights organisations. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said his legacy would endure through the countless families he supported. Similarly, Balochistan National Party President Sardar Akhtar Mengal described him as a symbol of resistance against injustice.
Former senator Afrasiab Khattak, advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, National Democratic Movement Chairman Mohsin Dawar, and several journalists and academics also praised his fearless and principled struggle, noting that his non-violent resistance continues to inspire movements today.
