The filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Baloch activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch by Pakistani authorities has sparked widespread condemnation from international and local observers. The Quetta police filed the FIR against Dr. Baloch and several others following their participation in a conference organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on May 18 at the Quetta Press Club.
The FIR accuses Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Sabgatullah Baloch, and Beebgar Baloch of engaging in activities during the May 18 event, including allegedly blocking traffic on Court Road, breaking the lock of the Press Club, and delivering speeches against the state of Pakistan. The charges listed in the FIR include unlawful assembly, obstructing public servants from performing their duties, inciting riots, and advocating against the sovereignty of the state, including charges of sedition.
Mary Lawlor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, expressed her deep concern over the charges. In a statement on the social media platform X, she said, “Disturbed by reports that WHRD Dr. @MahrangBaloch_ has had an FIR lodged against her by the #Balochistan police after they attempted to stop a Baloch Solidarity Committee meeting last month. Freedom of assembly is a protected right under the ICCPR & HRD Declaration.”
Kiyya Baloch, a Norway-based Baloch journalist, suggested that the FIR might be a reaction to Dr. Baloch’s recent visit to Norway. He stated, “This FIR is a reaction to Mahrang’s recent visit to Norway. @NorwayinPak and Norwegian civil society have a responsibility to protect peaceful rights defenders visiting their country, especially when they are subsequently declared criminals by authoritarian states.”
Former Senator Farhatullah Babar condemned the charges as an affront to free speech. He remarked, “Registration of sedition case against @MahrangBaloch_ & others for speaking truth to power is most deplorable. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right. Respond to criticism with logic, reason & patience; not by brandishing coercive laws. It’s a sign of weakness, not strength.”
Journalist Veengas criticized the language used in the FIR, calling it laughable and noting the harassment faced by the Quetta Press Club’s president and the organizers during the event. “FIR, registered against @MahrangBaloch_ along with BYC members over holding conf. at Quetta Press Club. The language in FIR is laughable — everyone knows how QPB president was held hostage & organizers were harassed. Now authorities justified their violent behavior through FIR,” she posted.
Human rights advocate Gulalai Ismail also condemned the FIR, describing it as part of an ongoing effort by the Pakistani state to suppress Baloch youth. She said, “Strongly condemn the registration of FIR against @MahrangBaloch_. It’s part of the war Pakistani state has waged against the Baloch youth. This blatant attempt to silence Mahrang through harassment litigation must end. Let her live and campaign.”
Dr. Mahrang Baloch responded to the charges on X, denouncing them as baseless. “The FIR filed against Baloch Yakjehti Committee activists is laden with charges of unlawful assembly, deterring public servants from discharging their duty, rioting, condemnation of the creation of the state, advocacy of the abolition of its sovereignty, and sedition. This is not only baseless but also a flagrant violation of the law of the land, a clear injustice that we must all stand against,” she stated.
She questioned the legitimacy of the FIR, citing Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1898: “According to Section 196 of the CrPC, no court shall take cognizance of any offense punishable under Chapter VI or IX-A of the Pakistan Penal Code or punishable under Section 123A or 124A of the Code, unless upon a complaint made by order of, or under the authority of, the federal or provincial government, or by an officer empowered by either of these governments. Has this FIR been filed on behalf of the federal or provincial governments by the police?”
Dr. Baloch emphasized that the events of May 18, when police actions led to widespread condemnation, were witnessed globally. “The whole world witnessed what happened on May 18. The journalists’ union protested against the police ramming into the Press Club and boycotted provincial assembly proceedings. The Chief Minister apologized to the journalist union and assured them that they would investigate the incident. However, a bogus case has been registered against me, @bebarg_zehri, and @ShahGBaloch to deter us from peaceful activism,” she added.
She asserted that such state tactics would not silence her activism. “This is an old state modus operandi used in the past to drag rights activists into court every week. This cannot silence or break me. We will stand and fight against it,” she declared.