BHC rejects bail plea against Dr. Mahrang’s detention

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) Tuesday disposed of a petition challenging the arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, central organizer of Baloch Yakjehti Committee, under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

A bench — comprising Chief Justice Ejaz Ahmed Swati and Justice Muhammad Amir Nawaz Rana — announced the decision, directing the petitioner to approach the appropriate legal forum for redress.

The petition had been filed by Dr. Baloch’s sister, Nadia Baloch contesting her detention.Nadia and her lawyer Imran Baloch Advocate said instead of delivering a verdict on the release of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the High Court transferred the hearing to the Home Department.

They expressed these views during a press conference at the Quetta Press Club.They said in Dr. Baloch’s case, the legal requirements under Sections 3 and 6 were not fulfilled, nor was proper legal procedure followed.

They approached the Balochistan High Court demanding the DC’s notification be declared illegal and nullified. They hoped the court would deliver a verdict in accordance with legal and constitutional standards. Instead, the court stepped back from using its constitutional and legal authority.

They said the verdict, which was reserved three days earlier and expected to be announced on Thursday, was not delivered. Instead, the case was referred to the Home Department for further proceedings.

They called this move illegal and shocking, saying that transferring the matter to the administration without fulfilling legal requirements went against the principles of justice.They further said the committee formed by the Home Department will consist of bureaucrats who will decide the case. There is no set timeframe for this committee to issue its verdict — it could take a day or a year, with no restrictions. If the committee’s decision is unjust, they will once again have to approach the High Court and then the Supreme Court. They said deliberately complicating the process was equivalent to denying justice.