The Balochistan government has extended the detention of Dr Mahrang Baloch, chief organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), along with four other leaders, for another 15 days under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
Dr Mahrang Baloch was arrested in March this year along with Beebow Baloch, her father Ghaffar Baloch, Sibghat Ullah Shah Ji, and Bebarg Baloch, and was sent to Quetta’s Hudda Jail under MPO-3.
This marks the fourth extension of their detention. Having already spent three months in custody, the authorities have now issued a fresh order prolonging their imprisonment by another 15 days.
Superintendent of Hudda Jail, Hameed Ullah Peechi, confirmed the extension. “I have received orders from the authorities concerned about extending the detention of Dr Mahrang Baloch and others by 15 more days. They will remain in jail for 15 more days,” he said.
A BYC spokesperson criticised the provincial government for repeatedly extending the detention period. He said the use of MPO-3 to detain political organizers was “illegal” and demanded the “immediate release of all detained leaders.”
Dr Sabiha Baloch, a central leader of the BYC, said the continued incarceration was both “unconstitutional and a violation of basic rights.” She accused the government of using delaying tactics to prolong the imprisonment of peaceful political workers.
In a video message, Nadia Baloch, sister of Dr Mahrang Baloch, also condemned the detention and described the latest extension as “a violation of legal due process.”
“My sister Dr Mahrang Baloch and her companions were illegally detained on 22 March under the black law of 3MPO,” she said. “Since then, we’ve knocked on every legal door and exhausted all lawful means to secure their release. According to the law, their detention period ended on 22 June. Bebarg Baloch’s detention was due to end on 25 June.”
She said that under the 3MPO, a Review Board including the Chief Justice and senior judges must convene, review the case, and personally hear the detainees. “No such board was ever formed,” she said.
“We repeatedly asked on what legal grounds they are still imprisoned after 22 June. The only response we received was the excuse that the ‘situation outside isn’t suitable,’ so they are being held for 15 more days.”
She said the family challenged the decision and was told that no individual has such authority. “Only a formal Review Board can decide. Still, no official notification was provided,” she said.
“When we went to the jail and waited the entire day, they eventually brought a document but strictly forbade us from copying or photographing it. We were shown nothing official. No Review Board ever met. This is a completely illegal act.”
She appealed to lawyers, human rights organizations, the Baloch public, and political parties to raise their voices and demand the immediate release of the BYC leadership.