Police in Quetta prevented families of detained leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), including relatives of Dr Mahrang Baloch, from holding a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Monday, family members said.
According to the families, police cordoned off the press club early in the morning and stopped them from entering the building. When they attempted to speak to the media outside, officers placed barriers around the premises and blocked access to the area.
Nadia Baloch, Dr Mahrang Baloch’s sister, said the families had gathered to speak about the continued detention of BYC leaders, the status of legal proceedings against them, and concerns over Dr Mahrang’s health in custody.
She said police told them they were required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the deputy commissioner before addressing the media, despite other groups being allowed to hold press conferences at the venue.
“We were standing outside the press club since morning and were told we needed an NOC,” she said. “But in front of us, several other families were allowed to hold press conferences without any such requirement.”
Nadia Baloch said that when the families questioned the restriction, police officials told them there were “orders from above”.
“We were told that only families whose children had gone to the mountains or were linked to narcotics cases would be allowed,” she said. “Families of missing persons or political activists would not be permitted.”
She said the families then attempted to address journalists while sitting on the steps outside the press club, but a heavy police presence arrived shortly afterwards and attempted to push journalists away to prevent coverage.
“The situation in Balochistan has deteriorated to the point where people are no longer allowed to speak or even ask questions,” she said.
Concern Over Dr Mahrang Baloch’s Health in Custody
Dr Mahrang Baloch, the chief organiser of the BYC, has been in detention for nearly a year. The BYC has said her health has “severely deteriorated” in custody and has alleged delays in medical examinations and access to treatment.
BYC leader Dr Sabiha Baloch said the continued denial of bail despite what she described as documented medical deterioration amounted to “deliberate medical neglect and punitive detention”.
“Her evaluation was delayed, the MRI was delayed, and reports now indicate disc bulging with neural foraminal narrowing,” she said, warning of the risk of worsening nerve-related pain and potential neurological complications if untreated. She also said fellow BYC leader Beebarg Baloch, who is paraplegic, remained in custody “without adequate medical safeguards”.
Human rights lawyer and columnist Munizae Jahangir said Dr Mahrang Baloch’s health was “fast deteriorating” in prison and that she had been denied access to neurologists despite repeatedly complaining of severe back pain.
In a post on X, Jahangir also criticised the decision to bar the families from holding a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, calling it unreasonable. “If families cannot even hold a press conference at the press club,” she wrote, “where do they go?”
Dr Shalee Baloch, chief organiser of the Baloch Women Forum (BWF), said the “inhumane treatment” of Dr Mahrang Baloch reflected what she described as the “ill intentions” of the authorities.
“She is an accused, not a convict,” she said. “Denying her basic healthcare and prolonging a politically motivated trial fuels injustice.”
Baloch intellectual Muhammad Ali Talpur also urged authorities to provide immediate treatment. “She should be given the care required for the condition she is suffering from,” he wrote, calling for the release of all detained BYC leaders.
The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) expressed “grave concern” and said the denial of adequate treatment “constitutes a serious violation of fundamental human rights and Pakistan’s international obligations”.
It demanded the “urgent provision of comprehensive medical treatment” and the “immediate and unconditional release” of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detained BYC leaders.
The Balochistan Bar Council and the Balochistan National Party have also previously expressed concern, saying the state has a constitutional obligation to ensure her safety, dignity and timely medical care in custody.