Police seek more time for investigation amid serious terrorism, violence charges
A Quetta anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday extended the physical remand of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr Mahrang Baloch and several other organisers by 15 days, following a police request for additional investigation time in a high-profile case involving terrorism and violent unrest.
ATC Judge Muhammad Ali Mubeen presided over the hearing, during which six detained activists including Gulzadi, Beebow Baloch, Sibghatullah Shahji, Ghaffar Baloch, and Beberg Baloch were produced in court. The judge approved the extension, meaning the BYC activists will remain in police custody until early August.
The activists were originally detained on July 8, when the ATC granted a 10-day remand after their initial three-month administrative detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.
The group is facing a range of serious charges, including those under Sections 7 and 11W of the Anti-Terrorism Act, and 16 sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. These include terrorism, murder, attempted murder, incitement to violence, rebellion, destruction of property, and promoting racial hatred.
According to an FIR registered at Saryab Police Station, Dr Mahrang and other BYC leaders are accused of instigating violence that led to the deaths of three individuals and injuries to 15 police personnel, in addition to targeting civilians and protestors during recent unrest.
The activists have also been implicated in an attack on Quetta’s Civil Hospital, where they allegedly led a mob of 100 to 150 people who stormed the facility and forcibly took bodies of attackers involved in the Jaffer Express train bombing. The FIR related to that incident was lodged in March at the Civil Lines Police Station.
Dr Mahrang Baloch, a prominent human rights advocate, was detained along with 17 others, and all are currently being held at Quetta District Jail under preventive detention laws.
The arrests have sparked widespread condemnation from civil society and human rights organisations. In March, over 100 civil society members wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging immediate action for the release of detained BYC leaders. The letter, obtained by Geo News, condemned the detentions as an attempt to silence voices demanding justice for enforced disappearances and fundamental rights in Balochistan.
Despite mounting calls for their release, authorities have maintained that the detentions are necessary due to the “serious nature of the charges” and ongoing investigations.
