Quetta police have lodged an FIR against Baloch rights activist Mahrang Baloch and several others for their participation in a protest on May 18 against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, which caused traffic disruptions on Court Road.
As per the FIR, the demonstrators allegedly broke the lock to enter the Quetta Press Club, where they delivered speeches and chanted slogans against Pakistan. The filing of the FIR against Baloch has triggered a legal dispute and drawn strong criticism from journalists and activists.
Taking to social media platform X, Ali Jan Maqsood, a practising lawyer and Baloch journalist said, “Miserably failing to curb the voices of the oppressed, the Quetta police lodged FIR against Mahrang Baloch, Sebgat, Beebagr and 200 others as a means to further suppress their voices. Such acts will only unveil state institutions’ unfair behaviour towards peaceful Baloch.”
Miserably failing to curb the voices of the oppressed, the Quetta police lodged FIR against Mahrang Baloch, Sebgat, Beebagr and 200 others as a means to further suppress their voices. Such acts will only unveil state institutions’ unfair behavior towards peaceful Baloch. pic.twitter.com/rZuIcekUik
— Ali Jan Maqsood (@Alijanmaqsood12) June 7, 2024
Exiled human rights activist Gulalai Ismail said, “Strongly condemn the registration of FIR against Mahrang Baloch. It’s part of the war Pakistani state has waged against the Baloch youth. This blatant attempt to silence Mahrang through harassment litigation must end. Let her live and campaign”
The Quetta administration justified the closure of the Press Club and its vicinity on that day, citing terrorism threats. This action prevented the Baloch Solidarity Committee from holding a conference titled “Gwadar: From Mega Projects to Mega Jail” at the venue.
The closure of the Press Club sparked strong condemnation from the Balochistan Union of Journalists, who criticized it as an attack on press freedom and a direct infringement of Article 19 of the Constitution, which safeguards the right to freedom of speech and expression.
Journalists demonstrated solidarity by boycotting a session of the Balochistan Assembly, calling for the suspension of the Deputy Commissioner of Quetta and expressing their dissatisfaction with the administration through chants and slogans.
The boycott ended after assurances from the Balochistan Chief Minister, during which journalists presented a detailed four-point list of demands aimed at resolving grievances and ensuring accountability within the administration. As tensions persist, Balochistan finds itself at a crucial crossroads, dealing with issues surrounding democracy and freedom of expression.