Government Lawyer in Mahrang Baloch Case Named Additional Advocate General in Khuzdar; BYC Raises Concerns
Military operation in Mach, Bolan enters fourth day, disrupting local life
The Pakistani security forces have reportedly cordoned off multiple areas of Balochitan’s Mach, Bolan and their environs, as a large-scale military operation in the region enters its fourth day. The ground troops, assisted by gunship
Quetta: BLA claims responsibility for attack on police that killed 4, injured 18
In a deadly incident that occurred on Monday, at least four people, including two police officers, were killed and 18 others were left injured in an explosion in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan. The
Rampant street crimes leave residents of Khuzdar in fear and helplessness
The city of Khuzdar has become a hub of criminal activities, with reports indicating that street criminals, snatchers, and thieves are rampant in the area. The situation has left the residents of Khuzdar living in
Balochistan: two men killed in firing incidents
At least two persons were reportedly killed in two separate firing incidents in Balochistan on Friday. According to reports, unidentified armed men entered a house in the Dera Murad Jamali area of Balochistan and shot
Resident of Kech district disappears in Karachi raid
A man from Kech district, Balochistan, has reportedly disappeared in Karachi after Pakistani forces allegedly detained him and his two sons during a raid on their house in Goth Mallir. According to sources, the man’s
Balochistan’s captivating images; A lifeline for ailing photographer
For 14 years, Kamanchar Baloch has dedicated himself to capturing the essence of Balochistan’s culture, stunning landscapes, and the plight of its impoverished residents. Born in Tehsil Mand, Balochistan, on November 25, 1998, Kamanchar has
BSO-Azad concludes 23rd Council Session; Drapshan Baloch elected chairman
The Baloch Students Organization Azad (BSO-Azad) released the highlights of the 23rd Central Council Session. BSO-Azad announced in the media that it wrapped up its 23rd Central Council session, a three-day event held in memory
Quetta: Security forces bring 3 dead bodies to a hospital
Pakistani forces reportedly shifted three dead bodies to a hospital in Balochistan’s capital Quetta on Wednesday. According to reports, Pakistani forces shifted the dead bodies of three men to the civil hospital Quetta — where
Enforced disappearances continue; Another goes ‘missing’ in Panjgur
Another Baloch man went missing from the Panjgur district of Balochistan on Wednesday. According to reports, Pakistani forces have allegedly disappeared a man after his arrest from the Parom area of the district. The detainee
Graphic Novel on a Baloch warrior launched on Amazon
A graphic novel titled “Hammal Jehand: The Sword of Baloch,” illustrating the life of the historic Baloch figure Hammal Jeeyand, or Jehand has been published as an ebook on Amazon. Authored by Nabeel Ahmed Baloch,
The War Is Not Over – Nadir Baloch
Author: Nadir Baloch The history is full of blood shades in the fight between the darkness and the light, Evil and the Good, Right and the wrong, oppressed and the oppressors. In the light of
Imran Khan: Ex-PM arrested outside court in Pakistan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been arrested outside the High Court in the capital Islamabad. Mr Khan was appearing in court on charges of corruption, which he says are politically motivated. Footage showed
Court grants bail to Mahal Baloch
The bail of Mahal Baloch, a Baloch woman who was forcibly disappeared from her home in Quetta on the night of February 17 and was later arrested by CDT, was approved by the court. On
Pakistan faces challenges securing IMF loan program and avoiding default
On Thursday, IMF officials stated at a press conference that Pakistan would need to secure additional external funds to complete the ninth review of its loan program. However, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar claims that
Federal Cabinet approved the deployment of army in Balochistan
According to the sources, the Balochistan government had recommended the deployment of the army, the approval to deploy the army in Balochistan has been given through the circulation summary. In view of the recent law
US Congress members write to Blinken about Pakistan’s crisis
The letter calls for pressure to ensure respect for democratic values and human rights in Pakistan. 60 members of the US Congress wrote a letter to the Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the dire
Hindu Girl Abducted at Gunpoint in Pithoro, Umarkot Sindh; Forced Marriage Feared
In a distressing incident, a Hindu girl named Hasena Oad has been abducted by Shokat Shar and four other individuals at gunpoint in Pithoro, Umarkot, Sindh. The girl’s father has filed a complaint at the
Baloch Students Council Condemns Attack on Baloch Students at Punjab University Lahore
The Baloch students council peshawar strongly condemns the brutal attack on Baloch students at Punjab University Lahore. Baloch students have been facing a critical situation for decades. Such violence against Baloch students is an old
Brave Baloch warrior, Shari Baloch is laid to rest
Mortal remains of Shari Baloch, who targeted Chinese teachers in an attack on the main gate of Karachi University on April 26 last year, were handed over to her family yesterday. Shari Baloch’s funeral prayer
Advocate Syed Iqbal Shah, who previously appeared as a state-appointed defence counsel in the case involving Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Jee, has been appointed as Additional Advocate General for Khuzdar.
An official notification issued by the Government of Balochistan under Section 3 of the Provincial Law Officers Ordinance 2001 confirms the appointment. The decision was made with the approval of Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and will remain in effect for one year.
The notification details that the position offers a monthly retainer of Rs80,000, along with a non-practising allowance of Rs200,000. It also includes residential and travel allowances totaling Rs20,000, an official vehicle with an additional monthly allocation, and various other benefits such as telephone and medical facilities provided by the government.
This appointment has sparked criticism from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which highlighted that its leadership had publicly boycotted the court proceedings and refused to appoint legal representation in the case. Despite this stance, Syed Iqbal Shah appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta as a government-appointed defence lawyer and participated in the proceedings on behalf of the accused.
Last month, the court sentenced Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Jee to life imprisonment for their involvement in the killing of Frontier Corps personnel Shabbir Ahmed during the July 2024 Baloch Raaji Muchi gathering in Gwadar.
The BYC, along with some supporters, lawyers, and political figures, has alleged that Syed Iqbal Shah’s appointment as Additional Advocate General for Khuzdar was connected to his role in the case. The government has not responded to these claims, and no publicly available evidence has been presented to support the allegations.
The appointment has come amidst ongoing debates over the fairness of the trial and sentencing of the two BYC leaders. Human rights organizations and political groups have raised concerns about due process and the standards of fair trial in this context.
