Quetta: The Balochistan High Court has dismissed petitions challenging the detention of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and five other activists, including senior National Party member Ghafar Baloch, under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO) law.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Ejaz Swati and Justice Amir Rana, had earlier reserved judgment on the petitions filed against the arrests of members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and others. On Thursday, the court announced its verdict, rejecting all six petitions and upholding the detention orders.
Imran Baloch Advocate, counsel for Dr. Mahrang Baloch, confirmed the dismissal of the petitions and termed the court's decision a setback for justice. Dr. Baloch’s sister, Nadia Baloch, also expressed serious concerns over the verdict, calling it a violation of the principles of justice.
Alongside Dr. Mahrang, the court rejected the petitions against the detention of BYC leaders Bebarg Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Subgatullah Shah Ji, and Bebo Baloch, as well as National Party veteran Ghafar Baloch, who is also the father of Bebo Baloch.
Senior lawyer Sajid Tareen Advocate had also filed petitions on behalf of some of the detained activists but had later expressed no confidence in the current bench, requesting the transfer of the case to a different panel before the verdict was reserved.
Over 150 individuals, including BYC and Balochistan National Party workers, were arrested under 3 MPO following protests in Quetta. However, the Balochistan Home Department subsequently withdrew detention orders for all except the six mentioned in the court proceedings, leading to the release of the rest.
The decision has sparked criticism from human rights circles and activists, who argue it reflects ongoing suppression of political dissent in the province.
