Pakistani March For Baloch Missing Reaches Rawalpindi

Family members of missing Balochs (mostly political workers) rally in protest in Quetta, Pakistan, last year.

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan -- A long march devoted to raising awareness of human rights violations in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan has reached the northeastern city of Rawalpindi, near the capital, Islamabad.

A few dozen participants left Quetta, the capital of impoverished Balochistan Province, three months ago.

The marchers say they will be forced to ask the United Nations for assistance in finding their missing relatives unless the Pakistani authorities step forward and do so.

The southwestern region has been the scene of violence perpetrated by Islamic radicals and separatist rebels since 2004.

Thousands have been killed and hundreds of people have disappeared over the years.

With reporting by Tribune.com.pk