Quetta, March 24 (IANS): Prominent Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch, chief of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has been charged with terrorism along with several other activists after leading a protest against the illegal arrest and police remand of relatives of enforced disappearance victims.
Mahrang, along with 150 others, is currently detained at Quetta District Jail following a brutal crackdown on Baloch leaders at their protest camp. The protestors are facing serious charges, including terrorism, murder, attempted murder, incitement to violence, rebellion, creating disorder, promoting racial hatred, and property damage, as reported by local media.
Meanwhile, shutter-down strikes continued for the second consecutive day in several cities across Balochistan, while internet services remained suspended in Quetta and nearby areas for the fourth day on Sunday.
Speaking to Dawn, Mahrang’s sister Asma Baloch expressed concerns over her sister’s detention, stating that more than 24 hours had passed without Mahrang being produced in court or granted access to legal counsel. “The authorities at Quetta District Jail did not allow us to meet my sister, nor were we permitted to deliver food and other essentials to her,” she said.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned Mahrang’s detention, calling for her immediate release. In a statement on X, Amnesty International highlighted that she had been unlawfully detained for over 38 hours and was being denied access to her family and lawyers. The organization also raised concerns over the continued arbitrary arrests and detentions across Balochistan, urging Pakistani authorities to release all individuals detained for exercising their right to peaceful protest.
The BYC has accused Pakistan’s police of excessive force, alleging that security personnel opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, killing three people and injuring dozens, including seven critically.
The crackdown has drawn widespread condemnation from political parties. The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and the National Party (NP) denounced the violence and urged the government to engage in dialogue.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, strongly criticized what it called the brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrators in Quetta. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the government of crossing all limits in its attempt to retain power at the cost of national unity.
“We demand immediate accountability for those responsible for the killings and injuries of peaceful protesters, as well as the instant release of all detainees, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch,” he added.
The situation remains tense in Balochistan as protests and government crackdowns continue, with growing concerns over human rights violations and the suppression of political dissent.
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