A Quetta Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has extended the physical remand of Mahrang Baloch, the chief of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), for another 10 days. The order was issued on Tuesday during a court hearing in which other key BYC organisers were also remanded into police custody.
Mahrang Baloch and several members of the BYC were first arrested in March. Authorities accused them of attacking the Quetta Civil Hospital and inciting violence. The arrests came just a day after police cracked down on a protest organised by the group against enforced disappearances.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has been vocal about enforced disappearances since its formation in 2018. The organisation holds frequent protests and campaigns demanding justice for missing persons in Balochistan.
Currently, Mahrang Baloch is being held at Hudda District Prison under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance issued on March 22. This law permits the detention of individuals believed to pose a threat to public safety.
During the recent court hearing, several other BYC leaders—Sibghatullah Shah, Beberg Baloch, Ghaffar Baloch, Gulzadi, and Beebow Baloch—were also granted 10-day police remands.
In June, Mahrang’s sister, Nadia Baloch, challenged the MPO detention order in the Supreme Court. She argued that the order violated constitutional rights and was based on misleading claims. Nadia also alleged that falsely branding Mahrang as a militant supporter was part of a broader attempt to silence her activism.
Earlier in June, the BYC’s Kech chapter held a three-day hunger strike outside the Turbat Press Club to protest the arrests. Despite these protests, the Balochistan High Court had dismissed petitions seeking the activists’ release in May.
Read more: Dr. Mahrang Baloch Recognized as One of Time’s Most Influential People of 2024 — Learn how her activism earned her global recognition from Time magazine
