Thousands of protesters across Pakistan’s Balochistan province and Baloch-majority Karachi have taken to the streets to demand the immediate release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders, including prominent activist Dr Mahrang Baloch.
Major rallies and sit-ins took place in cities such as Dalbandin, Kalat, Mastung, Gwadar, Quetta, Hub Chowki and Turbat in Balochistan province, in response to a call for action by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).
Security forces met the women-led protests with brutal force, directly attacking demonstrators at several locations and opening live fire on a peaceful protest in Malir, Karachi.
Dr Mahrang Baloch was among those arrested during a police crackdown on a sit-in protest in Quetta, Pakistan, on 22 March. Pakistani police also seized the bodies of three young people killed by Pakistani forces during the Quetta protests.
The BYC has accused Pakistani intelligence agents of harassing detained BYC leaders and activists including Mahrang Baloch, Bebagr Baloch and Shah Jee Baloch, who are currently being held in Hudda Jail in Quetta. In a post on X, the BYC stated that Pakistani intelligence agents had disguised themselves as local police officers, interrogated the imprisoned activists and tried to force them into signing documents that would severely restrict their personal rights.
The BYC said that during the five-hour interrogation, prisoners were asked “irrelevant personal questions”, including inquiries about close friends, family members, daily routines, social interactions and financial details such as bank accounts. After the interrogation, detainees were offered bail under strict conditions, including bans from visiting public spaces, restricted access to travel hubs, and the requirement of police approval to attend events, enter media outlets, move house or leave the city.
