BHC allows Mahrang’s meeting with lawyers, relatives in jail

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) ordered on Tuesday that Dr Mahrang Baloch be allowed to meet her lawyers and relatives at the district jail, Quetta.

A two-member bench of the BHC, comprising Justice Rozi Khan Barech and Justice Shoukat Ali Rakhshani, accepted the petition for hearing against the arrest of Dr Mahrang Baloch, the head of the Baloch Yakjethi Committee. The petition was filed by Dr Mahrang’s sister Nadia Baloch through advocates Habib Tahir, Imran Baloch, Khalid Kubdani, and Mazdfallah Achakzai. It was argued in the petition that Mahrang Baloch was arrested under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance without any valid reason, and in violation of Articles 15, 16, and 19 of the Constitution.

Accepting the petition, the court issued notices to the federal and provincial interior departments, inspector general of police, and others. The court stated in its order that every prisoner had the right to meet with their lawyers and relatives, therefore, Dr Mahrang Baloch should be allowed to meet her lawyers and relatives at the district jail, Quetta.

Meanwhile, protests and strikes were held in various parts of Balochistan in response to the arrest of Dr Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Mohammad, and other BYC activists, as well as the ongoing crackdown against BYC leadership. Demonstrations and rallies were held in Kalat, Khuzdar, Gwadar, Panjgur, Dalbandin, Usta Mohammad, Nushki, Mastung, and other areas on Tuesday.

Following a central call from the Balochistan National Party (BNP), a complete shutter-down strike was observed in Dalbandin to protest the arrests of BYC’s central leaders. Similar shutter-down strikes were observed in various areas of Chagai, while Dalbandin police and local administration worked to maintain law and order.

The BNP also held a protest in Kalat, where a complete shutter-down strike was observed. All commercial and business centers in the city remained closed. BNP leaders announced that a protest demonstration would be held in front of the Quetta Press Club on Wednesday (today).

A rally was organised by the BYC in Usta Mohammad, demanding the release of Mahrang Baloch and others. The rally took place in front of the National Bank, where a sit-in was staged. During the sit-in, speakers condemned the arrests of Dr Mahrang Baloch and others, demanding that the missing Baloch people be brought to light and presented in court.

A protest rally was organised by Haq Do Tehreek in Gwadar, which was participated by a large number of men, women, and children, who were carrying placards inscribed with various slogans and demands.