In Islamabad, prominent human rights advocate and former senator Farhatullah Babar has expressed deep concerns over the recent labeling of activists as terrorists without proper evidence or judicial proceedings. His remarks were prompted by statements made by Inter-Services Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who criticized the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and its leader, Mahrang Baloch, during a press conference this week.
Babar, who chairs the Human Rights Committee of the Pakistan People’s Party, described such declarations as “extremely problematic” and cautioned that they could lead to unintended consequences. He emphasized the dangers of hastily branding rights defenders as terrorists, urging a more careful approach to such serious allegations.
Lt Gen Chaudhry had accused the BYC of being a proxy for terrorism, claiming that the group, which advocates for human rights and addresses the issue of missing persons, should be scrutinized by the media. He referenced a past incident involving the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which had taken hundreds hostage, questioning the legitimacy of the BYC’s claims regarding the identification of deceased individuals linked to terrorism.
In reaction to these comments, Babar took to social media, reiterating that it is unwise to make sweeping accusations without substantiation. He remarked, “It is dangerous to mount a high horse without knowing how to dismount,” reinforcing the need to avoid impulsively labeling rights advocates as terrorists.
Although the BYC has not been designated as a banned organization by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), Mahrang Baloch and several BYC members have been incarcerated since March. The government charges them with attempting to claim the bodies of individuals involved in the Jaffer Express attack and inciting violence. Mahrang’s arrest followed a police crackdown during a protest in Quetta against alleged enforced disappearances.
In a statement released by her sister, Nadia Baloch, Mahrang defended her activism, emphasizing its foundation in non-violence and universal human rights principles. She dismissed the accusations made by Lt Gen Chaudhry as unfounded and called for evidence to support such serious claims.
Mahrang and her fellow activists have also undertaken hunger strikes to protest their treatment in custody, alleging torture and mistreatment by prison staff. Recently, Nadia Baloch reached out to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi, seeking urgent intervention regarding the alleged abuses faced by her sister and other BYC leaders.
Since its establishment in 2018, the BYC has actively campaigned against enforced disappearances, advocating for the rights of the Baloch community.
