Quetta, Jan 1 (NationPress) The human rights organization Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) declared that the series of bail decisions rendered by various courts throughout Balochistan highlight the groundless, concocted, and politically driven nature of the charges levied against its non-violent leadership by the Pakistani government.

As reported by the BYC, its chief organizer, Mahrang Baloch, along with other leaders such as Beebarg Baloch, Shahji Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, and Beebow Baloch, have been unjustly incarcerated for a duration of ten months.

The rights organization noted that the BYC leaders were initially detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO) for three months—a law that facilitates “preventive detention” based on government assessments of “possible threats to public order.” However, their detention was subsequently extended through what the BYC termed as politically motivated FIRs.

Even though these cases are bailable, the BYC contended that their imprisonment has been prolonged via repeated remands, intentional delays in filing investigation reports, and systematic procedural hindrances.

“On December 30, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Kalat granted bail to the leadership of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) concerning four FIRs. Prior to that, on December 29, bail was granted in two ordinary FIRs filed in Mastung. Furthermore, the City Court in Quetta approved bail in four FIRs, while on December 31, two ordinary FIRs in Saryab, Quetta, also received bail approval,” stated a release from the BYC.

The rights organization asserted that the Pakistani courts have “clearly noted that the FIRs lack substantial grounds and that the actions attributed to BYC leaders are entirely within their constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression.”

Nonetheless, it expressed concern that in several instances, despite the completion of investigations, bail remains denied in certain courts, leading to the ongoing detention of peaceful BYC leaders.

The BYC emphasized that the accusations against its leadership do not pertain to violence or criminal activities; rather, they are rooted in “political animosity and the fear of a non-violent movement” that has garnered public support by advocating against enforced disappearances, human rights abuses, and systemic injustices in Balochistan.

“The bail orders already issued eliminate any doubt: these cases are related to peaceful political engagement and freedom of expression, both of which are explicitly safeguarded under Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan. When identical cases result in bail across multiple jurisdictions but remain stalled before the Quetta Anti-Terrorism Court, it raises serious concerns about equality before the law and the integrity of judicial independence,” the BYC highlighted.

The rights organization urged international human rights advocates to amplify their voices for the prompt release of BYC leaders and to take immediate action to ensure the safety of human rights defenders in Balochistan.