The vice chancellor and pro-vice chancellor of the University of Gwadar have reportedly gone missing while travelling from Gwadar to Quetta, prompting authorities to launch a search operation in Balochistan.

According to officials, Vice Chancellor Dr Abdul Razzaq Sabir and Pro-Vice Chancellor Syed Manzoor Ahmed left Gwadar for Quetta on Wednesday morning, accompanied by a driver and another university employee. However, the group failed to reach their destination, and contact with them was lost after they entered the Mastung region.

Balochistan Home Department officials confirmed that the travellers’ mobile phones were switched off near the Khud-Kocha area along the Quetta-Karachi National Highway. Authorities said all available resources were being used to trace the missing individuals.

Police officials in Mastung stated that the possibility of kidnapping could not be ruled out. However, no group has claimed responsibility, and no official confirmation regarding abduction has been issued so far. Security forces and district authorities are jointly conducting search operations in the area.

The disappearance of the senior university officials has raised concern in academic and political circles, particularly given the security challenges that persist in parts of Balochistan. Authorities say investigations are ongoing and efforts continue to safely recover all four missing individuals.