Balochistan High Court Grants Dr. Mahrang Baloch Family Visit Amid Protests

 The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Tuesday granted permission for imprisoned human rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch to meet her family members. The decision came in the wake of nationwide protests and strikes led by the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) in solidarity with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

The protests were triggered by a police crackdown and mass arrests of BYC leaders, which sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and political activists. The BNP-M, a key political force in Balochistan, called for public support and demonstrations to demand justice and the immediate release of detained activists.

Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent voice for enforced disappearances and Baloch rights, was detained amid the escalating unrest. The BHC’s ruling allowing her to meet her relatives is seen as a small victory for activists fighting for fundamental rights in the region.

On Friday evening, police forces resorted to tear gas, water cannons, and blank gunfire to break up a Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) sit-in on Sariab Road near the University of Balochistan. The protesters were demonstrating against alleged enforced disappearances, including that of their leader, Bebarg Baloch.

The situation escalated into a violent confrontation, with both the provincial government and BYC reporting casualties. The activist group claimed that three protesters lost their lives, while 13 others sustained injuries. Meanwhile, police officials reported that around 10 officers were wounded in the clashes.

The incident has further fueled tensions in Balochistan, where activists and political groups continue to demand an end to enforced disappearances and state-led crackdowns.

The situation took a more severe turn when Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) chief organizer Dr. Mahrang Baloch was arrested in the early hours of Saturday and charged under anti-terrorism laws along with 150 other activists.

In response to the crackdown, shutter-down strikes were observed over the weekend across multiple cities in Balochistan, including Quetta, Panjgur, Kalat, Turbat, Mastung, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, and Dhadar. The strikes, called by BYC, were aimed at protesting state repression and mass arrests.

On Tuesday, a two-member bench of the Balochistan High Court (BHC), consisting of Justices Rozi Khan Barrech and Shaukat Ali Rakhshani, presided over a hearing on a petition filed by Mahrang’s sister, Nadia Baloch, challenging her imprisonment. The petition named multiple state officials and authorities as respondents.

During the hearing, petitioner’s counsel Imran Baloch urged the court to direct the government to disclose full details of the charges against Mahrang. The court accepted the petition, issued notices to the concerned parties, and granted the Balochistan advocate general and prosecutor general one week to present the requested case details.