Balochistan: The latest court hearing of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) chief Mahrang Baloch and fellow activists was held inside Quetta District Jail rather than the designated Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), prompting widespread condemnation from rights groups. The move has been criticised as a blatant attempt to suppress peaceful Baloch political voices, according to the BYC.
Judge Muhammad Ali Mobin of ATC-1 presided over the proceedings. However, instead of producing the detained leaders before the court, the BYC’s lawyers were summoned to the jail premises, significantly limiting public access and transparency.
Legal proceedings and delays
During the hearing, defence lawyer Israr Baloch stated that the prosecution failed to submit the challan (charge sheet). Without this document, the court could not frame formal charges or initiate a trial. Consequently, the hearing was postponed to October 18, with the judge instructing authorities to submit the required documents by the next date.
The BYC condemned the decision to hold the hearing behind bars, asserting in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that it undermines transparency and public oversight. The group noted that such procedures exclude families, journalists, and independent observers, which they argue violates Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees and international fair trial norms.
Background on arrests
Mahrang Baloch and her colleagues—Sibghatullah Baloch, Beebow Baloch, Beebarg Baloch, and Gulzadi Baloch—have been in custody since March 2025 under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance. Initially detained for 30 days, their imprisonment has been repeatedly extended, according to reports from Dawn.
Their arrests followed a police crackdown on BYC protesters at Quetta Civil Hospital, where they were demonstrating against enforced disappearances of Baloch civilians. Authorities later accused the activists of “inciting violence” and registered additional cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Pakistan Penal Code.
Rights concerns and repression in Balochistan
The jail hearing has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and observers. The BYC described the incident as a deliberate effort to curtail transparency, adding that criminalising peaceful activism has become a recurring pattern in Balochistan.
The region continues to witness heavy-handed state action against those demanding justice for missing persons, with political activists frequently targeted under security and anti-terrorism laws. Holding hearings in jail, as opposed to courts, is seen as an attempt to restrict media access, prevent public scrutiny, and isolate detainees from their families and legal support networks.
Conclusion
The latest development in the Mahrang Baloch case underscores the increasingly restrictive environment for political dissent in Balochistan. By moving hearings into jail premises and delaying formal trials, authorities are drawing criticism from rights organisations and international observers for undermining due process and transparency. The October 18 hearing will be closely watched to see whether the prosecution submits the required documents and whether fair trial norms are upheld.