In a controversial move that has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and civil society, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has filed a terrorism case against an eight-year-old boy in Turbat, Balochistan.
The child, identified as Shoaib, son of Waleed Khalid, a resident of Turbat city, is accused of sharing a TikTok video featuring a speech by Gulzar Dost Baloch, a known figure associated with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). The CTD claims the video content promotes incitement and alleged ties to anti-state activities.
The case has shocked the public and sparked strong condemnation from human rights organizations, political activists, and legal experts who argue that targeting a minor with terrorism charges is a gross misuse of power and a violation of both national and international child protection laws.
According to local sources, the FIR was lodged just as school holidays were ending and classes were due to resume. The move has disrupted the child’s education and reportedly caused severe psychological distress to the boy and his family.
“There is no justification for involving a child in such legal proceedings,” said a representative from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). “This action sets a dangerous precedent and reflects the increasing criminalization of political expression—even among children.”
No official response has been issued by the CTD or provincial authorities regarding the incident. Meanwhile, calls for the withdrawal of the FIR and an independent investigation are growing.
This development comes amid ongoing criticism of CTD operations in Balochistan. Several Baloch nationalist and human rights groups have long accused the agency of carrying out enforced disappearances and staging fake encounters. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) recently declared the CTD as a hostile force and announced it as a target for resistance.