WASHINGTON: The voice of the missing persons will echo in the US Congress on Wednesday when a group of Sindhi and Baloch activists will brief US lawmakers on these alleged forced disappearances.

       A section of the Pakistani American community has increased its engagement with Congress as Pakistan moves closer to the Feb 8 national elections. Most active among them are PTI supporters who have held a series of meetings with US lawmakers to explain why they feel the elections will not be fair and free.

       But Wednesday’s briefing at the Rayburn House Office Building is focusing on an issue that does not always get much attention in Washington.

       The organisers, a group of Sindhi and Baloch activists, say the briefing would explore ways Congress and the US government can contribute to ending enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

       Human rights experts and Pakistani participants will engage with the lawmakers and shed light on the situation. Following the briefing, a solidarity walk from Capitol Hill to the US State Department will also be held to express support for Dr Mahrang Baloch, who recently led a 994-mile march from Turbat to Islamabad to highlight enforced disappearances.

       Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2024