October 13, 2024 – Quetta, Pakistan
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent rights activist from Balochistan, has been booked on terrorism charges by Pakistani authorities amid her advocacy for greater rights and autonomy for the Baloch people. The arrest, which took place on Friday evening, has sparked outrage among human rights organizations and international observers, who accuse the Pakistani government of attempting to silence dissent.
Authorities claim Dr. Baloch, a medical doctor by profession, was involved in “anti-state activities,” though specific details of the charges remain unclear. Dr. Baloch has long been an outspoken critic of the Pakistani government’s policies in Balochistan, particularly regarding human rights abuses, military operations, and resource exploitation in the region.
Supporters and family members have condemned her detention, calling it politically motivated and an attack on free speech. The arrest is seen as part of an ongoing crackdown on Baloch activists advocating for social justice and political reform.
Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the charges, demanding her immediate release. The incident has further fueled tensions between the Pakistani state and the Baloch nationalist movement, which has sought greater recognition of their rights for decades.
