A Pakistani court has acquitted Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Deputy Organiser Lala Abdul Wahab Baloch and 11 other activists, citing a lack of evidence to support the charges. The BYC hailed this decision as a legal victory following what they called a prolonged and politically motivated trial. Among those acquitted are Sarfraz Baloch, Zain Baloch, Aftab Baloch, and several others.
Despite these acquittals, the BYC pointed out that key leaders, including chief organiser Mahrang Baloch, remain in custody. The organization expressed concerns over what they see as a pattern of using legal processes to stifle political dissent and prolong detention. The case, dating back to January 18, 2025, was based on events surrounding ‘Baloch Genocide Day’ and had been under trial for nearly a year.
The BYC highlighted that the arrests were linked to rallies organized on January 25, 2025, to mark ‘Baloch Genocide Day’. These demonstrations took place in various locations, including Balochistan and Karachi. The organization claimed that during these events, their members faced violence and were detained under what they described as false charges.
Recently, the BYC criticized the Pakistani authorities for what they deemed baseless and politically motivated cases against their leadership. They emphasized that despite bail orders issued by multiple courts in Balochistan, leaders like Mahrang Baloch and others have been held for ten months. The BYC leaders were initially detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO) for three months, with their detention extended through what the BYC labeled as politically driven FIRs.
The BYC alleged that the authorities have prolonged their detention through repeated remands, delays in investigation reports, and procedural obstacles. The organization continues to advocate for the release of their leaders and denounces what they perceive as unjust treatment by the government.
