Family Alleges Harassment of Baloch Leader Amid Legal Obstruction

The family of detained Baloch leader Mahrang Baloch has accused Quetta's Hudda Jail authorities of obstructing legal processes and engaging in harassment activities during a scheduled visit, reports The Balochistan Post. Nadia Baloch, who visited the jail on Monday morning to obtain a power of attorney already signed by Mahrang, claims that Superintendent Hameedullah Pechehi delayed the process for hours before ultimately refusing to sign the document.

According to Nadia, the refusal was based on a lack of directions from the Inspector General of Prisons. She reported that the situation escalated with intimidation from officials, as a large police presence surrounded the family and attempted to confiscate their phones. 'This was not just a delay; it was a deliberate attempt to block our access to legal remedies,' she said.

Nadia raised concerns about Mahrang Baloch's treatment inside the jail, alleging pressure from state intelligence agencies on the jail superintendent. She rejected recent accusations made by the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations, calling them baseless. Legal action against the defamation is being considered, but obstacles persist as tensions over the detention of BYC leaders under the Maintenance of Public Order law rise. On Tuesday, BYC filed a petition in Pakistan's Supreme Court challenging the legality of the detentions and demanded the release of Baloch leaders, labeling the arrests politically motivated, as per The Balochistan Post.

(With inputs from agencies.)