The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta on Friday handed over Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, already in custody, to police on a further 15-day physical remand. Among those detained is prominent activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch.
Speaking to the media outside the court, Dr. Mahrang said the state was keeping BYC leaders imprisoned to intimidate the public, but stressed that “the movement will not stop with imprisonment.”
“No matter how strong the prison walls may be, they are nothing in front of a mother’s resilience,” she remarked. “Every time we appear in court, the government’s lawyer files for an extension. This is the reality of the judicial system. Today, the same law is being used as a weapon by keeping people in CTD custody for 90 days.”
She reiterated that the movement’s strength comes from the people:
“We began this struggle on the streets and carried it into the courts. These same courts, where thousands of cases of missing Baloch and Pashtuns are pending, have failed to recover them despite protection orders.”
Dr. Mahrang further warned that the state cannot survive by turning against its people.
“This is a failed state, and it must be understood that the more violence is used against the people, the stronger the resistance will grow,” she said.
Sending a message of solidarity to the mothers protesting for weeks in Islamabad despite harsh weather, she added:
“Our movement carries a message for generations to come. The public must rise for their rights. Those who try to suppress or weaken us are the weak ones.”
Responding to a question, she criticized Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for “making baseless allegations instead of responsible statements.” She said, “They only push state propaganda, but our movement is far ahead of propaganda. We are fighting for justice and truth. No amount of lies or state resources can defeat the truth.”
Meanwhile, political and human rights activist Abdul Ghafar Qambrani, associated with the National Party, was released in Quetta after four months in custody.
Qambrani was arrested on April 6 during a police and paramilitary raid. He was initially held at an undisclosed location before being shifted to Hudda Jail under 3-MPO, along with other BYC leaders, on terrorism-related charges.
His daughter, activist Bebow Baloch, remains in police custody along with Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders, who are facing multiple charges.