Quetta – 22 April 2025: The Balochistan government has extended the Mahrang Baloch detention by 30 more days, after initially placing her in custody on terrorism charges. Meanwhile, her lawyer, Imran Baloch, confirmed the extension and strongly criticized the continued confinement as politically motivated.
Mahrang Baloch, 32, is a prominent leader of the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) and was originally arrested on March 22. She was taken into custody after participating in a peaceful sit-in protest in Quetta, where demonstrators demanded the release of detained BYC members.
According to her legal representative, the initial 30-day detention was nearing expiration when the authorities issued a fresh notification. “The government has ordered to detain her for 30 more days,” Imran Baloch said, citing the new extension.
Officials charged her with serious allegations including “terrorism,” “sedition,” and “murder,” although no evidence has been made public. Human rights activists have condemned the move as a crackdown on dissent and protest in Balochistan.
Security officials, however, argue that the detention is justified, pointing to alleged links between BYC and banned militant organizations such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). They claim that BYC leaders, including Mahrang, have provided political cover to militants by portraying them as “missing persons,” while avoiding condemnation of civilian killings carried out by insurgent groups.
The Mahrang Baloch detention extension has drawn widespread criticism from civil society and political observers. They view her arrest as an attempt to suppress voices advocating for the rights of Baloch people.
Authorities, however, maintain that BYC’s activities go beyond rights advocacy. Meanwhile, supporters continue to demand her immediate release and urge the government to drop all charges. BYC members stated that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and that targeting activists only worsens the sense of injustice in the province.
Analysts note that the case reflects a wider struggle between state authorities and militant-linked groups in Balochistan. While Mahrang is hailed by her supporters as a rights activist, security officials insist she has provided indirect support to armed groups whose violence has destabilized the province.
Legal experts warn that prolonged detention without trial undermines the rule of law. The situation remains tense as protests in solidarity with Mahrang Baloch are expected to intensify across Balochistan.
