Balochistan: Lawyer’s Home Raided, Family Threatened Amid Ongoing Harassment

QUETTA: Prominent human rights lawyer Advocate Israr Baloch in Press Conference at Quetta Press Club said that masked men forcibly entered his residence in Quetta around noon on Friday, held his younger brothers hostage, and issued threats related to his activism and legal work.

According to Baloch, the intruders ransacked the house, took away several books, and discarded others before leaving with further warnings.

In a statement, Advocate Baloch revealed that the masked individuals repeatedly inquired about his whereabouts and appeared to be targeting him specifically. “They searched the house, scattered our belongings, took some of my books with them, and threw others outside,” he said. “Before leaving, they threatened my family and warned of consequences.”

Baloch further stated that his family has been subjected to continuous harassment for nearly a month. He said that they have been coerced into visiting Frontier Corps (FC) camps, where they are pressured to convince him to withdraw from political activities. “They are told every time to make me stay away from politics or else be prepared to bear the consequences themselves,” he said.

The lawyer linked the intimidation campaign to his legal work supporting members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and other civilians targeted in a recent state crackdown on political dissent in Balochistan. “I am being harassed for standing up for those whose rights have been violated—for providing legal counsel to political workers and ordinary people unjustly accused,” he explained.

Israr Baloch declared that the state and its institutions would be held fully responsible if any harm comes to him or his family. “We will not be silenced by these tactics,” he said. “Our struggle for truth and justice will continue.”

The incident comes amid increasing reports of intimidation and suppression of political activists, lawyers, and human rights defenders, students and political activists across Balochistan.