The Balochistan government has directed citizens to promptly report any missing family members or those suspected of joining anti-state groups, warning that failure to do so will invite strict legal action under anti-terrorism laws.
According to an official notification by the Home Department, parents, siblings, guardians, and relatives bear the legal and moral responsibility to inform the nearest police station or relevant authorities if a family member disappears or is suspected of joining anti-state or terrorist groups.
The Home Department issued the notification through advertisements in local newspapers, making it clear that any delay or failure to report such disappearances will be treated as a punishable offence under Section 202 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), read with Section 11-E(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.
It warned that if a missing person is later found to be affiliated with terrorist organisations or involved in terrorism-related activities — including providing financial, logistical, or shelter support to terrorists — their family members will face legal action. These cases will be prosecuted under Sections 118 and 202 of the PPC and relevant ATA provisions.
The Home Department stressed that families withholding such information will be considered facilitators, accomplices, or supporters of anti-state elements, and legal proceedings will be carried out under Sections 7, 120A, and 120B of the PPC and Section 11(1)(a)(EEE) of the ATA.
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Furthermore, if an individual is found to be in contact with hostile groups or involved in terrorism, their family members may also be booked under Sections 107, 109, and 114 of the PPC and Sections 11-E(1) and 11-F of the ATA.
The government urged citizens to promptly report such cases to police stations or intelligence agencies. The notification referenced relevant sections of the ATA — including 11-W, 11-Q, and 11-E(1) — empowering citizens and the state to act in the national interest.
Issued “in public interest,” the notification reiterated that failure to comply will be treated as facilitation of terrorism and dealt with under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws.
