Latest news with #MaintenanceofPublicOrder
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
15-year-old boy abducted in Pakistan's Balochistan as cycle of persecution continues
Quetta: A 15-year-old Baloch teenager was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces from Kech district in Balochistan, amid an ongoing wave of enforced disappearances across the province, said a leading human rights organisation on Tuesday. Raising concerns, Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, said that on July 24, 15-year-old Qamber Fida was abducted from his house in the Tump tehsil of Kech district in Meerabad. "His abduction without charge or due process is a clear violation of international human rights law and constitutes a crime under the definition of enforced disappearance," the rights body said. Paank strongly denounced the "ongoing crimes against humanity" in Balochistan, including "arbitrary detentions, disappearances, and repression of dissent". The human rights body called on the Pakistani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Qamber Fida and ensure his safety, saying that "all enforced disappearances must end, and those responsible must be held accountable". "The rights to life, liberty, and security must be upheld without exception. Baloch lives matter, and the world must not stay silent," Paank asserted. Meanwhile, another human rights organisation, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), on Tuesday, demanded an immediate end to the mental and physical torture of a political activist, Imran Baloch, by the Pakistani authorities in Gwadar Jail of the province. "Baloch political activist Imran Baloch was detained four months ago under the 'Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO)' and transferred to Gwadani Jail, where he remains imprisoned. Imran Baloch is being deprived of basic human rights in jail. Not only are medical facilities not being provided to him, but Imran is also being subjected to severe mental and physical torture," said a statement issued by BYC. "He is under constant surveillance day and night, and he is kept confined in a single room for 24 hours, where basic necessities such as light, fresh air, and proper food are not available. Imran Baloch is not allowed to meet with his lawyers or family, and he is being kept completely uninformed about his health condition, which has put his life at serious risk," the statement added. The BYC appealed to human rights organisations to take notice of this "inhumane treatment" by Pakistani authorities and play their role in ensuring the "immediate and safe release of Imran Baloch".
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC dismisses contempt plea against police
A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Faheem Wali on Thursday dismissed a contempt of court petition filed against the arrest of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) provincial leader Syed Haider Shah Bacha. During the hearing, Justice Ejaz Anwar remarked that summoning the police in every case could hinder their ability to perform their duties effectively. He noted that the police admitted to arresting the petitioner but stated that they had not received any court order prohibiting the arrest. "If the police claim they acted on orders from higher authorities, then we would have seen how they could defy court directives," the judge added. The hearing began with Additional Advocate General Bashir Naveed and the petitioner's counsel appearing before the bench. The petitioner's lawyer argued that his client was arrested under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) for protesting against electricity load shedding and was subsequently sent to Dera Ismail Khan Jail, despite having secured protective bail from the court. He contended that the arrest constituted contempt of court as it violated a prior judicial order barring police from detaining his client. Justice Ejaz Anwar questioned how the arrest could be justified if a court order existed, adding, "Is the police so powerful that it can ignore the judiciary?" The police, in its written reply, stated that they had no knowledge of the court order at the time of arrest and released the petitioner once the order was received. The court also took note of the fact that 18 FIRs had been registered against the petitioner. His counsel responded that the petitioner was already on bail in those cases. After hearing arguments from both sides, the bench ruled that there was insufficient evidence to establish contempt of court and dismissed the petition accordingly. Livestock notification Meanwhile, PHC has suspended the notification issued by the Livestock Department regarding the premature repatriation of the Project In-Charge for Khyber District, and has issued notices to the Secretary of Livestock and other relevant officials, seeking a formal explanation. The case was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Faheem Wali. Advocate Aminur Rehman Yousafzai, representing petitioner Naeemullah, the current Project In-Charge of the Integrated Development Package in Khyber District, told the court that his client's appointment was made in April 2025. However, on July 1, the posting was abruptly withdrawn and he was directed to report back to the parent department. The counsel argued that the transfer order was issued without the recommendations of the relevant committee, making it procedurally flawed. He further informed the court that the provincial government has already issued a formal policy for project-based appointments.
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Sustainable peace solution in terrorism-prone areas: KP govt to take political parties into confidence, formulate strategy
PESHAWAR: The 35th meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet was held here on Friday, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur in the chair. Cabinet members, Additional Chief Secretaries, the Senior Member Board of Revenue, Administrative Secretaries, and the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attended the meeting. Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information & Public Relations, while explaining the details of the decisions taken in the Cabinet meeting, said that Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced that an All Parties Conference would be convened next week to take all political parties into confidence and formulate a joint strategy for a sustainable peace solution in terrorism-prone areas. The Chief Minister stated that the restoration of peace in District Kurram is the result of the government's sincere efforts and that peace in other areas can also be achieved through consultations with local jirgas and tribal elders, Barrister Dr Saif said. The Advisor further informed that the meeting also discussed proposed reforms to 3MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) law. It was decided that the implementation of this law would be subject to prior approval from the Home Department to prevent its misuse. The Chief Minister remarked that the 3MPO is a law similar to the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), which is often misused. Speaking on incidents of natural disasters across the country, the Chief Minister emphasized that such tragedies should not be politicized and reaffirmed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is always ready to assist other provinces in times of need, he added. Barrister Dr Saif said that the Cabinet approved financial assistance of Rs5 million each for the families of martyrs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who lost their lives due to Indian aggression. Additionally Rs10 million in compensation was approved for the family of Maulana Khanzeb Shaheed, who was martyred in a terrorist attack. Explaining other important decisions of the Cabinet meeting, he said that the Cabinet approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agriculture Income Tax Rules, 2025, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Audit Rules, 2025, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection (Sealing or Seizing) Rules, 2025. The Cabinet formed a cabinet committee on the agenda item related to the removal of the death penalty provision from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 2019. The Cabinet Committee will submit its recommendations to the Cabinet. The Cabinet approved financial assistance totaling Rs48.1 million for four individuals - Rozina, Anas Khan, Muhammad Aman, and Muhammad Azlan - to help cover the cost of high-expense treatments for acute medical conditions that were otherwise beyond their financial means. The Cabinet approved the handing over of Dir Model School Dodba for the establishment of a campus of Khyber Medical University's Institute of Health Sciences in District Dir Upper, so that the current academic session could begin at the building. The Cabinet also approved land acquisition, at a total cost of Rs38.69 million, through private negotiations for the supply of Swat River surface water to Mingora via gravity flow. The Cabinet approved a cost enhancement from Rs318.501 million to Rs375.210 million for the project titled Strengthening Health Management Information System / District Health Information System in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Phase-II). It also approved a series of important administrative measures, including the appointment of members to the Board of Governors of the Paraplegic Center, and the posting and transfer of the Managing Director of the Health Foundation. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the appointment of five members to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission. Under the Provincial Action Plan, the Cabinet approved the installation of RFID systems and machine-readable number plates on already-profiled NCP vehicles in the province. The Cabinet also decided to limit the measure strictly to profiling of NCP vehicles, with no tax collection involved, he explained. He said that requests for relaxation of the ban and procurement of vehicles for various departments were placed before the Cabinet. It was decided that, on a case-to-case basis, the required vehicles would be arranged through the Excise Department. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Gandapur convenes APC for tribal peace
The 35th meeting of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Cabinet was held on Friday, presided over by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur. Briefing media on the meeting's decisions, Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, said the Chief Minister announced plans to convene an All Parties Conference next week. The initiative aims to build political consensus and formulate a joint strategy for establishing long-term peace in terrorism-affected areas, particularly in the tribal belt. Highlighting recent peace efforts, the Chief Minister noted that the restoration of calm in District Kurram was made possible through government-led negotiations with tribal elders and jirgas. He expressed hope that similar models could help bring peace to other restive regions. The Cabinet also discussed reforms to the 3MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) law, emphasizing the need to prevent its misuse. The Chief Minister compared it to the outdated Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), stressing that its implementation must now require prior approval from the Home Department. On the topic of natural disasters, the Chief Minister urged all political actors to refrain from politicizing human tragedies and reiterated K-P's readiness to assist other provinces in times of need. The Cabinet approved Rs5 million in compensation for each family of K-P martyrs affected by Indian aggression and Rs10 million for the family of Maulana Khanzeb, who was martyred in a terrorist attack. Several key legal and administrative reforms were approved, including the K-P Agriculture Income Tax Rules 2025, the Environmental Audit Rules 2025, and the Environmental Protection (Sealing or Seizing) Rules 2025. A cabinet committee was formed to review a proposal to remove the death penalty clause from the K-P Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 2019. To support citizens with critical health needs, financial assistance of Rs48.1 million was sanctioned for four patients — Rozina, Anas Khan, Muhammad Aman, and Muhammad Azlan — for life-saving treatments. In education, the Cabinet approved the handover of Dir Model School Dodba for establishing a Khyber Medical University Institute of Health Sciences campus in Upper Dir. It also authorized land acquisition worth Rs38.69 million for a project to supply Swat River water to Mingora via gravity flow. Cost adjustments were also approved for health initiatives, including an increase in funding for the Health Management Information System Phase-II, from Rs318.5 million to Rs375.2 million. Administrative decisions included appointments to the Paraplegic Center Board of Governors, the K-P Child Protection and Welfare Commission, and the posting of the Health Foundation's Managing Director. Under the Provincial Action Plan, the Cabinet sanctioned the installation of RFID and machine-readable number plates for already-profiled non-custom paid (NCP) vehicles, clarifying that the move would not involve any tax collection.
The Wire
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Activists In Balochistan Maintain Resolve As Mahrang Baloch Approaches 4 Months In Jail
South Asia As Mahrang and other leaders of the BYC remain in jail, activists say they will continue to challenge the 'bogus' FIRs against them. She demanded accountability from the authorities, asking, 'Who has killed and abducted [the] Baloch?' She stressed that false allegations and spurious charges cannot absolve the state of responsibility. 'It is enough now – we have endured grave injustices and immense hardship,' she said, her voice thick with emotion as she spoke to The Wire. 'Despite everything, we still believe in the constitution and the rule of law. But we don't know whether justice will be served – or if injustice will be our only fate.' Mahrang, a prominent leader from Balochistan and head of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was arrested on March 22 for holding a protest over the authorities' refusal to hand over several bodies. Officials claimed the deceased were involved in the Jaffar Express attack that same month. However, BYC leaders demanded that DNA tests be conducted and due process followed, rather than allowing the state to quietly bury the bodies. They further alleged that the government had produced the bodies of missing persons, falsely labeling them as terrorists. On July 8, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta – the capital of Balochistan province – ruled that Mahrang and her BYC colleagues Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Bebarg Baloch Sibagatullah Shah and Ghaffar Baloch were to be removed from Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), which allows law enforcement to detain and arrest people accused of posing a threat to public order. However, they were simultaneously re-arrested under new, allegedly fabricated FIRs, and the court granted police a ten-day remand. Nadia said that since March 22, they had insisted the government unlawfully jailed BYC leaders under Section 3 of the MPO or in fabricated FIRs. 'It took 107 days for the court to recognise that the BYC leaders could not be detained simultaneously under both the MPO and FIRs,' she said. The court eventually ordered the removal of the MPO charges while allowing the FIRs to proceed. Speaking to The Wire, Nadia said the authorities were likely to bring forth multiple FIRs in an attempt to keep the BYC leaders behind bars. Still, she added, they would continue to challenge what she described as 'bogus FIRs'. Mahrang's legal notice to DG ISPR On June 18, Mahrang served a legal notice to Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Pakistan armed forces' Inter-Services Public Relations division (DG ISPR), stating that he had made defamatory remarks against her and the BYC during a press conference on May 23 and a speech on June 2. In the notice, she claimed that he had described them as a 'deformed evil face', which she said damaged her reputation. She maintained that the BYC was a peaceful civil rights group and noted that she had recently been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Akhtar Mengal, president of the Balochistan National Party and former chief minister of Balochistan, told The Wire that allegations like those made against Mahrang had long been used against those who questioned Islamabad's policies in the province. 'These accusations have been used against everyone who has challenged the state's injustices,' he said, citing the example of Nawab Akbar Bugti, who was killed in August 2006 during General Pervez Musharraf's military rule. 'Bugti believed in democracy – but he was assassinated for demanding justice.' Mengal warned that if the state continued to ignore the voices of the Baloch, they would be forced to seek other paths. 'It is the state that is pushing the Baloch against the wall,' he said. 'Peaceful voices in Balochistan are being punished. It's not just Mahrang – every Baloch who asks for justice is treated the same way.' Sabiha Baloch, a key organiser of the BYC, told The Wire that the Baloch people had long been victims of state violence and were left helpless. She said that the only recourse available to them was the constitution, through which they demanded justice. 'Those who raise their voices are often labeled either terrorists or anti-state,' she said, adding that BYC has faced such accusations repeatedly. Speaking about Mahrang's legal notice, Sabiha called it a courageous move. 'Mahrang's stance is a bold step. I don't think anyone has ever dared to challenge such a powerful man in such a powerful position,' she said. 'This practice of branding people as anti-state must end.' Sammi Deen Baloch, a recipient of the International Human Rights Award and another key organiser of the BYC, told The Wire that the state's treatment of the Baloch was riddled with contradictions. 'When a Baloch wins an international human rights award, the mainstream media calls us Pakistani,' she said, referring to her own experience when the headlines read like the following: 'Pakistan's Sammi Deen Baloch receives international award for human rights activism.' 'But when the Baloch demand justice, ask for their rights or seek the whereabouts of their loved ones, they are labeled anti-state.' Nadia said her family had endured ongoing violations and injustice, adding that her concerns extended beyond her sister's case. 'Even when I go to the hospital, Vigo vehicles [a pickup truck often used by authorities engaged in covert work] follow me,' she said. According to her, the decision to send the legal notice to the DG ISPR was not an easy one. 'Mahrang took days to reflect before proceeding, especially as the state continued to portray her as anti-state,' she said, calling the DG's speech and press conference 'baseless'. 'Mahrang is in jail, yet she has sent a legal notice to a powerful authority – someone who controls not only the country but Balochistan as well,' Nadia said. 'Her decision sends a message to the state: the Baloch are asking for justice and cannot be silenced by being labeled anti-state.' 'If they have proof, let them present it in court,' she added. 'Mahrang will fight it through legal means. Otherwise, no one has the right to defame her character.' Terrorist groups issue threats as authorities serve notice to silence voices Sabiha further stated that the state was not only labelling Baloch activists as anti-state, but that even terrorist organisations like the Islamic State had issued statements targeting leaders of the BYC, declaring them anti-state and calling for their killing. She said the statement named herself, Mahrang and others, including a local journalist. 'No one in the state has taken notice of these threats,' she said. 'How is it possible that a terrorist group is openly threatening political activists and ordinary citizens, and yet the state remains silent?' Sabiha alleged that the silence from authorities amounted to complicity. 'Now those who seek justice for the Baloch are being targeted by terrorist organisations – and the state's silence is evidence that it is happening with their approval,' she said. Mengal had led a protest rally in March against the arrest of Mahrang and other members of BYC. During the rally in Mastung's Luk Pass, a suicide bomber attempted to attack the protesters. Demonstrators identified the attacker and thwarted the attempt. But the violence was not the only response Mengal faced. After he publicly demanded the release of Mahrang and other BYC members, he received a notice from the Cyber Crime Reporting Unit. Authorities accused him of using his X account to spread false information and glorify a proscribed individual, i.e. Mahrang. Speaking to The Wire, Mengal said that terrorist organisations like the Islamic State were, in his view, linked to the state. 'The Baloch who demand justice are either threatened directly by the state or by state-sponsored militants,' he said. Referring to the suicide attack attempt during his rally, he noted that the government had neither reached out to them about the incident nor launched an investigation. 'Those who believe in democracy are being threatened in multiple ways to silence them,' he said. 'But those who follow the establishment's script – like the Form 45 crowd – face no such threats.' Form 45 refers to the official election result count. 'These threats will not silence the Baloch, and not even Mahrang,' Mengal said. 'We will continue to raise our voices for justice.' Nadia recalled Mahrang's words, saying that when the latter returned from Islamabad, people across Balochistan had welcomed her warmly. 'That was our reality then – and this, too, is our reality now,' she had told Nadia. 'We are in jail merely for demanding justice.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
