Dr Mahrang, Dr Sabiha among 150 booked for terrorism, rebellion, murder

QUETTA: A case has been registered against 150 people, including the central leaders of Baloch Yakjethi Committee (BYC), Dr Mahrang Baloch, Dr Sabiha Baloch and others, under various sections, including terrorism, incitement to rebellion, murder and other charges.

The case also named Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Satakzai, Sabiha Baloch, Sabatullah Baloch, Gulzar Dost, Riaz Gashkori, Dr Shali Baloch, and others among the accused.

The charges included violations of Sections 7 and 11W of the Anti-Terrorism Act, as well as 16 sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. These charges cover terrorism, murder, attempted murder, incitement to violence and rebellion, creating disorder, promoting racial hatred and damaging property.

The case is related to an incident at the Civil Hospital, where bodies were forcibly taken from the morgue. Dr Mahrang Baloch and 17 others were arrested on Saturday morning and have been placed in the Quetta District Jail under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

An FIR registered at the Saryab Police Station on March 22 included charges under Sections 7 and 11W of the Anti-Terrorism Act, as well as 16 sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. These charges relate to terrorism, murder, attempted murder, incitement to violence and rebellion, creating disorder, promoting racial hatred, and damaging property. The case accused Dr Mahrang Baloch and the BYC leadership of assisting rioters in shooting police officers, passersby, civilians, and their own protesting colleagues, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injury to 15 police officers.

Dr Mahrang Baloch and BYC leaders are also facing charges for their involvement in an attack on the Civil Hospital and forcibly taking the bodies of attackers from the Jaffer Express train bombing. According to an FIR at the Civil Lines Police Station in Quetta, on Wednesday evening, under the instigation of the BYC, 100 to 150 people stormed the Civil Hospital, broke open the morgue doors, and forcibly took the bodies of attackers involved in the Jaffer Express train attack. The FIR states that the accused stopped a private ambulance at Hockey Chowk, beat the driver, and loaded the bodies into the ambulance.

Additionally, at the Brewery Police Station in Quetta, an FIR has been filed against BYC leaders Gulzadi Baloch, Ali Jan, Shoaib, Syed Noor Shah, Waheed, Jahanzeb, Zohaib Baloch, and over 100 other individuals. This case pertains to blocking the Western Bypass Road in Quetta on Saturday, chanting slogans against the state and state institutions, and inciting public unrest. It is worth noting that under the leadership of Dr Mahrang Baloch, protesters began a sit-in by placing bodies on the Saryab Road on Friday night. On Saturday, the police launched a crackdown on the protesters, arresting Dr Mahrang Baloch and several others.

According to police, Dr Mahrang Baloch’s arrest has not been officially disclosed yet, and she is not in the custody of the Civil Lines Police but is being held in District Jail, possibly under Sections 3 or 16 MPO.

Meanwhile, shutter down strikes were held for the second consecutive day in several cities of the province on Sunday. In Turbat, a protest sit-in has been going on for two days. Business and trade centers remained closed in Mastung, Kalat, Kharan, Chaghi, Panjgur, Turbat, and several other cities due to protests. In Turbat, protesters have blocked the Turbat-Karachi highway in protest.

In Hub, at Bhawani, protesters blocked the Quetta-Karachi Highway in protest against the arrest of Dr Mahrang Baloch. However, police dispersed the protesters with tear gas and baton charges on Sunday morning. According to the police, the highway has been reopened for traffic.

A complete shutter-down strike continued in Dalbandin and other areas of Balochistan for the second consecutive day, following the call of BYC. As a result, all business centers remained closed. A rally was also organised by the BYC, and protests were held. The protesters demanded the immediate release of arrested leaders and action against the officers involved in alleged violence against demonstrators in Quetta.

A rally was held in Dhadar, where participants demanded the immediate release of BYC leadership and strongly chanted slogans in support of missing persons before dispersing peacefully.