Why Was Mahrang Baloch Sent to a 10-Day Police Remand?

Quetta, July 8 (NationPress) Human rights advocate Mahrang Baloch appeared in front of Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday, where a new ten-day remand was ordered based on what the human rights organization Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) labeled as "fabricated" police allegations.

This ruling came shortly after the charges under 3MPO (Article 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order, which permits "preventative detention" based on the government’s evaluation of "potential threats to public order") against BYC leader Mahrang were suddenly dropped, according to BYC activist Sammi Deen Baloch.

"This morning, Mahrang Baloch and the leaders of BYC had their 3MPO charges abruptly revoked and were taken to the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), where they were handed over to Quetta Police on a ten-day remand under fabricated FIRs. This action not only questions legal due process but also signifies the misuse of power against political activists," posted Sammi Deen on X.

As per Nadia Baloch, Mahrang's sister, a meeting of the judicial board, which includes judges reviewing the three MPOs, was organized for Tuesday. However, the orders were withdrawn just hours prior to the meeting, leading to the leaders being placed back in police custody "under false charges."

Recently, the BYC reported that its head, Mahrang Baloch, central member Bibagr Baloch, Subghatullah Shah Jee, activists Gulzadi Baloch, Bebo Baloch, and notable political figures Mama Ghaffar and Imran Baloch had been detained for three months "without any legal justification."

"They were held under the 'Maintenance of Public Order' (3MPO), with the detention time unlawfully extended each month. A month later, the case was moved to the Home Department, and ongoing delaying tactics were employed to defer judicial proceedings. Even after the three-month legal period expired, these leaders were not released," stated BYC.

"On June 22, the MPO duration ended, yet even after 15 days, they were neither released nor was a judicial board formed, nor was any legal justification provided to either the organization or their families concerning their detention," the statement further elaborated.

The BYC has called for the immediate release of its leaders and urged Pakistan to promptly abandon the "failed experiment" of suppressing political movements through force and violence.

Numerous human rights organizations have recently advocated for the immediate release of Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders, insisting that all "false and politically motivated charges" be dismissed and that fair trials, devoid of state influence, must be guaranteed.