Pakistan: Baloch rights leader Mahrang Baloch arrested while protesting in Quetta

QUETTA (Pakistan): Baloch human rights leader Mahrang Baloch was arrested by Pakistan’s Quetta police and administration early Saturday morning while she was participating in a sit-in protest against the atrocities against the Baloch community.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) shared the details of her arrest on X and said the bodies of the slain youth, which were at the protest site, have also been taken into custody. “Quetta Police and Administration have arrested BYC (Baloch Unity Committee) central leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch along with his other associates and have also taken the bodies of the martyred youth into their custody,” it stated.

It further noted that, in addition, a crackdown has been launched on women and children. BYC highlighted the peaceful demonstration which was held in Quetta Sariab against the abduction-like arrest of BYC central leader Bebigar Baloch, Dr Hamal Dr Ilyas and Saeed Baloch and other women.

At this moment, our peaceful sit-in in Quetta, Balochistan, is facing a brutal and unjustified crackdown by state security forces. Dozens of our companions, including women, have been arrested, and their whereabouts remain unknown. The security forces are resorting to… pic.twitter.com/VDLtmdbev6

— Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) March 21, 2025

“Police and state agencies used tear gas, water cannons and bullets on this demonstration, resulting in the martyrdom of three Baloch youth and injuries to dozens”, the post noted. Terming the actions to be “state terrorism”, BYC had started a sit-in in the Sariab area of Quetta on Friday night with the bodies of slain youth.

“At 5:30 am today, police and other agencies attacked the sit-in, snatched the bodies from the protesters and arrested BYC central leader Dr Mahrang Baloch along with his associates”, the post concluded.

کوئٹہ پولیس اور انتظامیہ نے بی وائی سی (بلوچ یکجہتی کمیٹی) کے مرکزی رہنما ڈاکٹر ماہرنگ بلوچ کو ان کے دیگر ساتھیوں سمیت گرفتار کر لیا ہے اور شہید نوجوانوں کی لاشیں بھی اپنی تحویل میں لے لی ہیں۔ اس کے علاوہ، خواتین اور بچوں پر بھی کریک ڈاؤن کیا گیا ہے۔

گزشتہ روز بی وائی سی کے… pic.twitter.com/IzMhFPzunm

— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) March 22, 2025

Mahrang Baloch, who had been with the protestors during the sit-in protest, had shared messages on Friday night bringing attention towards the atrocities being faced by Baloch people.

In a video message by her at midnight, she announced a shutter down call in the entire Balochistan. “Baloch Solidarity Committee announces a shutdown of the entire Balochistan against this oppression and terrorism of the state of Pakistan. Tomorrow there will be a shutter down and wheel jam strike in the entire Balochistan,” she stated.

بلوچ یکجہتی کمیٹی کے سربراہ ڈاکٹر ماہ رنگ بلوچ کا کل بلوچستان میں ہونے والے ہڑتال کے حوالے سے ویڈیو پیغام!

آج ریاست پاکستان کی سیکیورٹی فورسز کی کوئٹہ میں پرامن مظاہرین پر براہ راست فائرنگ کے نتیجے میں اس وقت تک تین پر امن مظاہرین شہید جبکہ درجنوں زخمی ہیں، جن میں سے کچھ کی… pic.twitter.com/wG6q90pGH3

— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) March 21, 2025

The ongoing conflict in the Balochistan region of Pakistan is marked by demands for greater political autonomy, control over natural resources, and better socio-economic conditions. Baloch nationalist groups seek independence or enhanced rights, while the Pakistani government has responded with military interventions.

Meanwhile, Hakeem Baloch, a member of the Baloch National Movement’s Foreign Committee, strongly criticised the arrest of Mahrang Baloch and the lamented human rights violations in Quetta after the Pakistani forces shot dead five protesters during a ‘peaceful protest’.

In a post on X, Hakeem Baloch stated, “This is one of the worst human rights violations we have ever witnessed. Yesterday, Pakistani forces shot dead five protesters and injured several others”. “This morning, they confiscated the bodies of the deceased and arrested Mahrang Baloch, the leader of Baloch Yakjehti Committee(BYC), along with others–an attempt to silence them and force an end to their peaceful protest”, he added.

He highlighted that the Pakistani government, along with its security forces and police, is perpetrating severe human rights abuses in Balochistan. The lack of response from the international community and the media blackout has allowed Pakistan to continue its brutal treatment of the Baloch population. (ANI)