Islamabad – Questions are being raised over the role of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and its leader, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, amid allegations of proximity with banned terrorist groups operating in Balochistan. Officials and security sources allege that both Mahrang Baloch and the BYC have turned a blind eye to human rights abuses committed by armed groups operating in Balochistan, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), while simultaneously presenting itself as a rights movement.

According to sources, Mahrang Baloch has in the past sought to secure the bodies of BLA militants killed in operations, including those involved in the Mach and Gwadar port attacks. She is also accused of portraying Wadood Satakzai, later claimed by the BLA as a suicide bomber in the 2021 Mach incident, as a “missing person.” Similarly, her cousin and bodyguard, Sohaib Langove, was reported killed in July 2025 as a BLA fighter in Turbat.

Officials point out that this pattern reflects a deliberate strategy: presenting militants as “victims” in order to garner sympathy, while avoiding any acknowledgment of their involvement in violent attacks. Security observers argue that such misrepresentation not only clouds the discourse on human rights but also undermines genuine voices in Balochistan who advocate peacefully for rights and justice.

Allegations of Political Cover

Officials claim that BYC gatherings, particularly in Gwadar, were less about human rights and more aimed at disrupting development projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Authorities argue that such protests provided space for BLA operatives to mingle and gain cover under the banner of civilian demonstrations.

In several instances, intelligence reports suggested that armed operatives used the cover of these sit-ins and marches to move freely, complicating security operations in sensitive areas. Analysts say the choice of Gwadar, a hub for Pakistan’s economic future, was not accidental, but part of a calculated attempt to send a message to investors and stakeholders about instability in the region.

The BYC has not been registered as a constitutional or legal entity in Pakistan. Critics allege that the group functions as a political front for banned outfits, projecting itself internationally as a movement for the “disappeared,” while glossing over attacks and atrocities by militant organizations.

Also See: US Declares Balochistan Liberation Army, Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organization

International Links

The foreign travel of Mahrang Baloch has also come under scrutiny. She has reportedly visited European capitals, including Oslo, where she met with rights organizations and diaspora groups. Officials allege that these trips were used to secure funding and political support from foreign handlers to fuel anti-Pakistan campaigns.

Diplomatic observers note that several of these visits coincide with heightened lobbying efforts by exiled Baloch leaders in Western capitals. In policy circles, questions have been raised over why meetings that are presented as “human rights advocacy” often echo the narratives of the groups banned in Pakistan. The government maintains that genuine advocacy is welcome, but using international platforms to justify or shield insurgency is unacceptable.

In one notable instance, after Pakistan’s cross-border strikes on terrorist hideouts in Iran earlier this year, Mahrang Baloch reportedly admitted that some of the families affected were linked to individuals previously labeled as “missing persons” by BYC.

Support from Exiled Militants

Observers point to BYC’s alignment with exiled leaders such as Harbyar Marri, based in London, who has long been accused of directing armed activities in Balochistan while living abroad. Similarly, BYC has been accused of campaigning for candidates linked to the BLF, including Zaheer Zeb, brother of its leader Bashir Zeb.

Harbyar Marri, along with other exiled leaders, has often been accused of operating from safe havens while the violence plays out in Balochistan, costing the lives of ordinary citizens. Critics argue that BYC’s association with such figures not only discredits its claims of non-violence but also shows the depth of its political alignment with banned organizations.

Silence on Civilian Killings

Despite claiming to advocate for human rights, both Mahrang Baloch and the BYC have not issued statements condemning the killings of pilgrims, laborers, or barbers targeted in recent years by BLA, BLF, and affiliated groups. Security analysts argue that this selective silence reveals its alignment with insurgents rather than with victims of violence.

This silence has been particularly noticeable after high-profile attacks in Nushki, Panjgur, and Turbat, where civilians including women and children were among the casualties. Rights groups critical of BYC say its unwillingness to speak against such acts undermines its stated mission, suggesting that the committee’s advocacy is selective and politically motivated.

Development vs. Militancy

Officials maintain that the objective is to present Balochistan as unstable, deterring foreign investment and blocking economic growth. They argue that instead of encouraging education and opportunities for youth, movements like BYC push a narrative of despair that can be exploited by armed groups to recruit fighters.

Security officials warn that these narratives, amplified on social media and in international forums, aim to overshadow genuine progress made in the province, including infrastructure development, scholarships for Baloch students, and new job opportunities under CPEC projects. By focusing solely on the grievances narrative, BYC, critics argue, deprives Baloch youth of balanced information and risks pushing them toward radicalization.

While BYC insists it represents the voice of the marginalized, officials contend that the evidence suggests otherwise: a movement offering political cover to banned groups rather than a legitimate human rights campaign.

Analysts conclude that the challenge for Pakistan lies in separating legitimate grievances from orchestrated propaganda. While Balochistan continues to face real socio-economic issues, they argue, exploiting these issues for militant agendas, as alleged in the case of BYC, ultimately harms the very communities such groups claim to represent.