The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has filed a petition in Pakistan’s Supreme Court challenging the detention of its leaders and activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch, under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the BYC said that cases seeking the release of Dr Mahrang Baloch, Central Committee member Bebarg Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Ji, activists Beebow Baloch and Gulzadi Baloch, and political leaders Mama Ghaffar Baloch and Chairman Imran Baloch, have been formally submitted to the apex court.
The group described their continued detention as “illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated.”
The BYC said it had initially approached the Balochistan High Court, but claimed that judges “prioritised appeasement of the provincial puppet government and state intelligence agencies” over justice. According to the group, the case remained pending for two months before being dismissed without a fair hearing.
“The Baloch leaders and political workers have been held in illegal and unconstitutional detention for the past three months,” the statement said. “They are imprisoned under the colonial-era 3 MPO, which is being used to crush political dissent.”
The group expressed hope that the Supreme Court would act independently and deliver a verdict based on law and justice, “ignoring any pressure or interference from the government or intelligence agencies.”
In conclusion, the BYC reaffirmed its commitment to continuing both its legal and political struggle.
“We make it clear that alongside our legal struggle, our political movement will intensify further,” it said. “We will not remain silent in the face of this oppression, injustice, and brutality.”
Family Alleges Harassment and Obstruction at Hudda Jail
Meanwhile, fresh allegations emerged from the family of Dr Mahrang Baloch, who claim that prison authorities at Hudda Jail refused to process legal documents and subjected them to harassment.
According to Nadia Baloch, the sister of Dr Mahrang Baloch, she visited the prison on Tuesday to obtain an official stamp on a power of attorney already signed by her sister. Despite waiting since 10 a.m., she said the jail superintendent, Hameedullah, delayed the process and ultimately refused to sign the document without permission from the Inspector General of Prisons.
“When we asked for the legal reason, he said no document could be processed without explicit permission from the IG,” Nadia said.
She further alleged that the family was subjected to intimidation. “We were repeatedly threatened, surrounded by a heavy police presence, and attempts were made to confiscate our phones. This is a deliberate attempt to block our legal rights.”
Nadia claimed the jail superintendent was acting “to please intelligence agencies,” and said that Dr Baloch and other BYC activists were being mistreated inside the jail.
“They threatened us with serious consequences if we did not remain silent,” she said.