The latest hearing in the case against Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) chief Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detained leaders was held inside Quetta District Jail instead of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), it emerged on Sunday, with the group describing the move as a “disturbing display of institutionalised repression.”
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the BYC said the judicial remand of the detained leaders had been extended for another ten days.
Dr Mahrang and other BYC leaders, Sibghatullah Baloch, Beebow Baloch, Beebarg Baloch and Gulzadi Baloch, were arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance in March and have remained in custody since, with their remand extended multiple times.
The group said that holding court hearings inside prisons was part of a deliberate effort “to suppress transparency, eliminate public oversight, and criminalise peaceful political dissent in Balochistan.”
“By moving proceedings behind prison walls, the state is effectively barring affected families, journalists, and independent observers from monitoring the process,” the statement read. “This is a clear violation of Pakistan’s own constitution and international principles of fair trial and due process.”
Advocate Israr Baloch, who represents Dr Mahrang, confirmed that the hearing took place on Saturday and was presided over by Judge Muhammad Ali Mubeen of Anti-Terrorism Court No. 1 (ATC-1).
He said that instead of presenting the BYC leaders in court, the legal team was summoned to Quetta District Jail, where the proceedings were conducted.
“During the hearing, the prosecutor failed to submit the challan, due to which formal charges could not be framed and the trial could not begin,” he said.
The next hearing has been adjourned until 18 October, with the judge directing the prosecution to submit the challan by that date.