The sister of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the incarcerated leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has alleged that following a court appearance last week, Dr. Baloch, along with the detained BYC leaders Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Sabghatullah Shah Ji, and Beebarg Zehri, was transferred to separate police stations. According to her, this transfer is in clear violation of constitutional and legal requirements.
In a detailed statement, Dr. Baloch’s sister stated that although two separate lower courts had reportedly issued clear orders for the detainees to be granted legal assistance and access to their families to prepare their defense, police authorities have continued to deny these basic rights. She further alleged that when legal documents are presented for signature, the detainees are often made to wait for several hours.
The statement claimed that the staff responsible for the custody of female detainees has not only displayed uncooperative and disrespectful behavior, but is also allegedly violating Articles 10 and 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantee the right to a fair trial and legal representation.
Sabghatullah Shah Ji and Beebarg Zehri, currently held in Cantonment Police Station, were said to be in particularly concerning condition. The statement alleged that neither family members nor lawyers have been allowed to contact or check on their well-being, calling the situation a serious violation of court orders and tantamount to “illegal detention.”
According to the statement, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch, and Gulzadi Baloch are being held in a women’s police station that is allegedly under the practical control of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies, rather than the civilian police.
The sister of Dr. Baloch also expressed concern that the detainees are allegedly being subjected to psychological harassment, threats, and denial of basic prisoner rights, including access to lawyers, family members, and medical care. These actions, she claimed, violate Section 974 of the Police Rules of 1934 as well as Pakistan’s commitments to international human rights standards.
She further alleged that she herself has faced harassment by intelligence personnel, who reportedly appeared outside her residence after midnight. According to the statement, this was seen as an attempt to exert pressure and silence lawful resistance.
She appealed to the European Union and United Nations human rights bodies to hold the Government of Pakistan accountable for these alleged violations and to ensure compliance with both local court rulings and international agreements.
The statement concluded with an appeal for immediate intervention from Pakistan’s judiciary, civil society, bar councils, and international human rights organizations to help restore the rule of law and safeguard the fundamental human rights of the detained individuals.