March 3, 2026
By Dauran Baloch
QUETTA
The arrest and imprisonment of Dr Mahrang Baloch, the central leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), along with other members of the BYC leadership, is nearing its one-year mark, as concerns over her health and access to medical care intensify. Her family claims that her condition has deteriorated significantly and that they are being denied adequate access to her.
According to her sister, Nadia Baloch, Dr Mahrang Baloch was recently taken to Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) Hospital in Quetta for a medical examination. However, the family says they were neither allowed to meet her nor provided with complete medical reports, deepening their anxiety over her well-being.
Press conference amid restrictions
The family had announced a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, but upon arrival, they encountered what they described as police obstacles. Dr Mahrang’s sister, Nadia Baloch, said they were not permitted to enter the premises, forcing them to hold the press conference on the steps of the building.
Speaking to journalists, Nadia Baloch said that, “My sister’s health is in an extremely critical condition. We are not being allowed access to her. If the authorities believe she is receiving proper medical care, then why not constitute an independent medical board? We demand a neutral medical board to examine her and allow the family to take part in her care.”
She added that the family has been living in a state of constant distress and uncertainty for nearly a year. “If there are charges, they should be proven in court. But depriving a sick detainee of basic human rights is unjust,” she said.
Legal position and ongoing cases
Advocate Sajid Tareen, who initially pursued the case of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detained members of the BYC, also briefed the media on the current legal status of the cases.
“The cases filed against Dr Mahrang Baloch and other activists are based on mala fide intent. Several charges have been framed without direct evidence linking them to the alleged incidents. Despite a year having passed, there has been no meaningful progress in the trial,”said Advocate Tareen.
He emphasized that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to a fair trial. “If the state has evidence, it should present it before a court of law. Our demand is simple: ensure due process. If she is ill, provide full medical facilities. If she is innocent, release her,” he said.
A broader human rights debate
What began as the arrest of a political activist has evolved into a wider debate about civil liberties, freedom of expression, and the treatment of political dissent in Balochistan. Supporters of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee view the case as an attempt to silence political voices, while officials have yet to issue a detailed public statement addressing the family’s concerns.
The reported restrictions at the Quetta Press Club, traditionally regarded as a platform for free expression, have further fueled debate among journalists and civil society members.
The Quetta Press Club and the Balochistan Union of Journalists have strongly condemned what they described as unwarranted police interference inside the premises of the press club during a media talk held on March 2.
An emergency joint meeting of the leadership of both organizations was convened to review the incident that occurred during a media interaction organized by the BYC. Participants expressed serious concern over police personnel entering the press club building, allegedly preventing journalists from covering the event and subjecting them to harassment.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the leadership termed the police action a direct violation of press freedom and freedom of expression. The statement emphasized that holding press conferences and media talks at press clubs is a fundamental right of every citizen and that press clubs serve as essential democratic platforms.
“There is no precedent anywhere in the world for police to enter press club premises and obstruct journalistic activities,” the statement read.
The leadership recalled that the Quetta Press Club had previously been sealed, prompting strong protests from the journalist community. Those protests were called off after assurances from Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti that such incidents would not recur.
Describing the latest development as alarming and intolerable, the statement said that the entry of police personnel into the press club, and the alleged obstruction and harassment of journalists covering the BYC media talk, were deeply concerning.
The Quetta Press Club and the Balochistan Union of Journalists have called upon Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hamza Shafqaat, and the Inspector General of Police, Balochistan, to take immediate notice of the incident and initiate strict action against the officials involved.
The joint statement further demanded that the provincial government take concrete measures to prevent such interference in the future and to uphold the sanctity of the press club as an independent forum for journalists and civil society.
The leadership of both bodies stated that they would soon announce their future course of action.
The road ahead
As the one-year anniversary of Dr Mahrang Baloch’s arrest approaches, calls for an independent medical board and transparent legal proceedings continue to grow. Her family maintains that access to proper healthcare and regular visitation are fundamental rights, not privileges.
Whether authorities will respond to these demands remains to be seen. For now, the case continues to shape political discourse in Quetta, reflecting broader questions about justice, accountability, and human rights in the province.