QUETTA: The Balochistan government has directed families to immediately report if their relatives go missing or join any non-state or militant groups, warning that strict legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the directive. Families must provide information within seven days and submit sworn declarations disowning relatives involved in militancy, or face prosecution under anti-terrorism laws.
According to a notification issued by the Home Department, citizens, parents, and guardians are required to inform the nearest police station and FC/Army unit within one week if a family member goes missing or is discovered to have joined any non-state or militant group.
The directive further instructs that details of individuals already missing must also be submitted within seven days under Sections 118 and 202 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) read with Section 11(1)(EEE) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
Families of those who have already joined militant outfits must file a sworn affidavit of separation and disownment within a week, in line with Sections 120/120-A PPC read with Section 11(1)(a)(EEE) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The notification warns that if families fail to report missing persons or refuse to disown them, and it is later proven that the individual was involved in terrorism, they will be treated as abettors or facilitators under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Their names may also be placed in the Fourth Schedule under Sections 107, 109, and 114 PPC read with ATA provisions.
The Home Department further cautioned that facilitators will face strict consequences, including confiscation of property, dismissal from government service, and denial of all state financial and welfare benefits.