BYC accuses state institutions of deliberate legal delays to suppress Baloch activists

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has strongly criticized Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the judiciary, accusing them of deliberately delaying legal proceedings against its detained leaders. The organization described this tactic as a “weaponisation of law,” intended to silence political dissent and suppress Baloch activism.

In a statement shared on X, the BYC revealed that during a recent jail trial, the CTD once again failed to submit complete challans for the case. The group claimed that the department has consistently delayed the proceedings since the arrests, while the court has seemingly supported these tactics by rushing to move the case forward despite the incomplete documentation.

The BYC expressed concern that, despite the CTD’s failure to provide all necessary documents, the court appeared eager to proceed with framing the case. The organization argued that this move violates established procedural requirements, emphasizing that the case should not advance until all challans are properly submitted and reviewed.

According to the organization, the CTD has filed more than 25 FIRs against its leadership since the case’s inception, many of which the BYC describes as “fabricated.” They allege these FIRs are designed to obstruct their political activities and tarnish their reputation, with new cases continually being introduced in court hearings despite previous directions to consolidate allegations.

The BYC contended that this practice not only demonstrates the state’s intent to weaponize the legal system against Baloch human rights activists but also damages the credibility of the judiciary. They maintain that these tactics are part of a broader effort to intimidate and silence dissenting voices within Balochistan.

The organization highlighted a stark contrast between different courts handling similar cases. While the Anti-Terrorism Court in Khuzdar has granted bail to BYC leaders in four cases, the Quetta ATC continues to prolong proceedings. The BYC argued that this disparity indicates a judiciary that is either paralyzed or complicit, acting in favor of state power rather than upholding justice.

During Saturday’s hearing, detained leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch questioned the court about the existence of freedom of speech in Pakistan. The BYC noted that the judge acknowledged it as a constitutional right, yet in practice, they claimed, this right is systematically denied. All charges against BYC leaders stem from their public speeches, which they argue are protected expressions of their political stance.

The BYC accused state institutions of misusing courts as a “rubber stamp” to target activists and suppress political dissent in Balochistan. They called on national and international human rights organizations to pay attention to what they describe as the misuse of anti-terror laws to silence legitimate voices. The organization urged external intervention to secure the release of its leaders and to halt these unjust legal practices.