Anti-Terrorism Court Extends Detention of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and BYC Leaders for 15 More Days
SHAAL (QUETTA): The Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta has extended the detention of Dr. Mehrang Baloch and five other senior members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) for an additional 15 days, in a hearing held under tight security on Friday, July 18, 2025.
The six activists — Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Beebarg Zehri, Beebow Baloch, Sabghatullah Shahji, Abdul Ghaffar Qambrani and Golzadi Baloch — were brought before Judge Mohammad Ali Mobeen at the special court. The judge accepted the police’s request to prolong their custody, citing “ongoing investigations” — despite growing criticism from human rights organisations and civil society.
During the proceedings, when the judge attempted to silence Dr. Baloch as she began to speak, she pushed back firmly, stating: “I know you already have a prewritten decision. Just hear us out. We have been deprived of meeting with our families and legal representatives. We need to sign the necessary documentation and without meeting with our legal teams, we cannot do that.”
The courtroom was packed with supporters and activists, many of whom chanted “Long live resistance!” in defiance of the ongoing crackdown. Their presence highlighted the widespread public outrage over the treatment of BYC leaders and the broader campaign of enforced disappearances targeting the Baloch community.
Since Wednesday, July 16, the families of the detained activists have been holding a protest camp outside the Islamabad Press Club, demanding the unconditional release of their loved ones. The sit-in has continued despite intense heat and mounting pressure from authorities, who have blocked roads and reportedly considered forcibly deporting the families back to Balochistan.
The renewed extension of detention follows a prior move by authorities to abruptly transfer the activists from preventive detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law to the Anti-Terrorism Court earlier this month, without presenting credible evidence. Amnesty International and other rights groups have called the arrests arbitrary and politically motivated.
The activists were originally detained following a mass protest in Quetta on March 21, held in response to enforced disappearances and secret burials of Baloch victims allegedly carried out by security forces.
Observers say Friday’s court session marks not only a continued attack on peaceful dissent, but a broader attempt to intimidate and silence those demanding justice in Balochistan.
