Quetta: The leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), including Chief Convener Dr. Mahrang Baloch, have begun a hunger strike in protest against alleged mistreatment during detention.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s sister, Nadia Baloch, confirmed that Mahrang had initiated the hunger strike. Lawyer Imran Baloch also stated that senior BYC leaders, including Saghbatullah Shah, Bebak Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, along with over 100 supporters, joined the hunger strike last night.
According to Imran Baloch, Dr. Mahrang Baloch said the hunger strike was launched in response to alleged abuse by Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel inside the jail and the transfer of BYC member Bebak Baloch to Pishin District Jail.
He added that over 100 members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee are currently on hunger strike under Dr. Mahrang’s direction.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Nadia Baloch claimed that Bebak Baloch had been separated from Dr. Mahrang and Gulzadi Baloch and transferred to Pishin District Jail. She alleged that Bebak had been denied access to family members and legal counsel.
Nadia further alleged that Bebak Baloch was subjected to physical, psychological, and mental torture before being transferred to Pishin. She also accused the jail authorities of initially attempting to conceal Bebak’s location, only releasing the information after mounting pressure.
Meanwhile, in a statement on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee said the group's leadership was staging the hunger strike to protest against "torture inside prisons."
It is important to note that Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other BYC members were arrested on March 22, 2025, for allegedly attacking Quetta Civil Hospital and inciting violence — the arrests came a day after a police crackdown on their protest against enforced disappearances in Quetta.
On April 21, 2025, the detention of Dr. Mahrang Baloch under Section 3 of the Anti-Terrorism Ordinance was extended by one month.
