Mahrang’s detention extended for 30 days

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has extended the detention of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, chief organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), for another 30 days along with other jailed female activists.

Dr. Mahrang and Beebow Baloch were arrested and shifted to Quetta district Jail on March 22 under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance (MPO) for 30 days. The Provincial Home Department has issued a notification on Monday under which she will remain under detention till May 22.

Dr Mahrang’s counsel Imran Baloch confirmed that the home department has issued the notification extending her detention for another 30 days.

A petition was filed by her lawyers with the Balochistan High Court, which was heard by a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Ejaz Ahmed Swati and Justice Muhammad Aamir Rana. On April 15. the court disposed of the petition, asking the petitioner to first approach the appropriate legal forum for redress. The lawyers of Dr Mahrang had told the media that the court had asked the petitioner to approach the home department, which had issued the detention orders of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and others.

Advocate Imran said, “We will approach the home department against the arrest of Dr Mahrang under MPO-3 as the court directed and if the Home department upholds the arrest of Dr. Mahrang under MPO then we will again approach the high court.”

However, the lawyers have not approached the home department so far after the BHC division bench verdict.