August 2, 2025
By Dauran Baloch
QUETTA
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on August 2, extended the police remand of Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch and five other activists by 20 days. This is the second extension in their remand, prompting criticism from rights activists and civil society organizations.
Police had sought a 30-day extension, citing ongoing investigations against Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Bebarg Baloch, Bebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Shahjee Sibghatullah, and ‘Mama’ Ghaffar. The court, however, granted a 20-day remand. The detainees were subsequently shifted back to the police station under tight security, including armoured vehicles and heavy police presence.
A panel of lawyers—including Advocate Israr Baloch, Advocate Shoaib Baloch, and Advocate Aywaiz Zehri—represented the BYC leaders. They opposed the extension, arguing that police had failed to show any meaningful progress in the investigation over the past 25 days. The defence maintained that all allegations were baseless and fabricated.
After hearing initial arguments from both sides, the ATC extended the police custody for another 20 days. Earlier, the court had granted a 10-day remand on July 8 and extended it by another 15 days on July 18.
Following the hearing, Dr. Mahrang Baloch addressed the media outside the court, accusing the judiciary, police, and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of collusion. “The same police that once protected us are now, along with the CTD, abducting our women,” she alleged. “A line has been drawn in Balochistan—between those who stand with the oppressors and those who stand with the oppressed.”
Dr Baloch reaffirmed her commitment to the Baloch rights movement. “The hardships of imprisonment will not deter our struggle. I believe those who endure such trials emerge with stronger conviction,” she said.
She added that public faith in courts and Parliament as avenues of justice for Baloch detainees had dwindled. “No miracle will happen. We must walk through those prison gates ourselves and bring our people out.”
BYC leader Beebarg Baloch, speaking to Voicepk, also reaffirmed the group’s resolve. “We are not stepping back. Our stance is rooted in our history and sacrifices. We are ready to face more cases and jail time. Even if we die inside, we will not compromise. We are not afraid of death,” he said. “If four or six of us fall, thousands more will rise.”
A large number of BYC supporters gathered outside the court. Following the hearing, the detainees were taken back to police custody under strict security arrangements.
Meanwhile, a sit-in by BYC supporters in Islamabad entered its second week. Families of missing persons from Balochistan joined the protest, demanding the immediate release of detained BYC leaders and an end to enforced disappearances in the province.
The six BYC activists were first arrested on March 22 under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and detained in Quetta for three months. The current remand is an extension of what is now more than four months of continuous detention.
In July, Amnesty International urged Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti to release all detained Baloch activists, drop all charges against them, and revoke the detention orders, stating they were being targeted solely for exercising their constitutional rights.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s detention was initially authorised under the MPO for 30 days on March 22, extended by another 30 days in April. After completing a three-month term, a fourth extension of 15 days was issued by the provincial Home Department last month.
While the BYC is not listed among banned organisations by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Dr. Mahrang Baloch is named among proscribed individuals.
Constitutional petitions seeking the release of Dr. Mahrang and two other activists were dismissed by the Balochistan High Court in May. In June, Mahrang’s sister, Nadia Baloch, appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that her repeated unlawful detentions and branding as a “militant sympathiser” were part of a deliberate attempt to silence her activism for missing persons.