The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has accused Pakistani security forces of arbitrarily detaining one of its activists, Syed Bibi, in Turbat, Kech district, hours before a planned protest against the imprisonment of senior BYC leaders. The detention occurred during a late-night raid by personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Shahi Tump area of Turbat at approximately 9:30 pm, according to The Balochistan Post.
Details of the Detention
Syed Bibi, who is also the sister of noted Baloch fiction writer Dr Hanif Shareef, was taken into custody and initially held at an undisclosed location before being transferred to a women's police station in Turbat. Reports indicate that she had been regularly appearing before CTD officials every week for the past four months after being placed on Pakistan's Fourth Schedule, a list under anti-terrorism laws that imposes surveillance and movement restrictions on designated individuals.
The BYC condemned the detention, calling it arbitrary and politically motivated. The organisation claimed that CTD officials had repeatedly contacted and pressured Syed Bibi following the announcement of the planned protest in Turbat. The BYC argued that she had fully complied with all legal reporting requirements and maintained that there was no lawful justification for her arrest.
Allegations of Misuse of Fourth Schedule
The BYC accused Pakistani authorities of using the Fourth Schedule as a tool to monitor and intimidate political activists, students, teachers, and other civilians across Balochistan. The organisation further claimed that officials suggested Syed Bibi could be released after the protest concluded, implying that the detention was directly linked to the planned demonstration.
Context of the Protest
The arrest came amid growing tensions over the recent life sentences handed to prominent BYC leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Jee. Ahead of the demonstration, the Balochistan government imposed Section 144 across Kech district, banning public gatherings, rallies, and processions on security grounds, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post.
Despite the restrictions, protesters, including women and children, reportedly gathered at Shaheed Fida Chowk. Security forces established checkpoints, restricted roads, and allegedly disrupted mobile and internet services before the demonstration. Eyewitnesses reported scuffles after police and Frontier Corps personnel blocked the gathering, as reported by The Balochistan Post.
