The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Tuesday allowed imprisoned rights activist DR Mahrang Baloch to meet with her relatives after the Balochistan National Party-Mengal held strikes and issued a call to support the recent protests by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) against a police crackdown and arrests of its leaders.

On Friday evening, the police used tear gas and water cannons, and fired blank shots to disperse BYC protesters, who had staged a sit-in on the Sariab Road near the University of Balochistan, against alleged enforced disappearances, including its leader Bebarg Baloch. The provincial government and the BYC had reported casualties on their sides as a result of each other’s actions, with the activist group claiming three dead and 13 others suffering injuries and the police saying around 10 of their personnel were hurt.

The situation further escalated when BYC chief organiser Mahrang was arrested in the early hours of Saturday and was booked under terror charges along with 150 others. Responding to BYC’s call, shutter-down strikes were staged over the weekend in various cities of Balochistan — including Quetta, Panjgur, Kalat, Turbat, Mastung, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin and Dhadar.

A two-member BHC comprising Justices Rozi Khan Barrech and Shaukat Ali Rakhshani presided over a hearing today on a petition by Mahrang’s sister Nadia Baloch against the imprisonment and mentioning various state officials and authorities as respondents.

Petitioner’s counsel Imran Baloch requested the court to issue a directive to the government to provide details of the cases against Mahrang.

The bench accepted the petition for hearing and issued notices to the parties. It also allowed one week’s time to provide details of the cases at the request of the Balochistan advocate general and prosecutor general.

The short order, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, said the petitioner’s counsel had contended that Mahrang was arrested under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance “without any reasoning,” which was a violation of constitutional articles 15, 16 and 19.

“Point needs consideration,” the order said.

“After admission of the petition, petitioner’s counsel filed an application with a request therein that the relatives of the detenue and her counsel may be allowed to meet her at District Jail Hudda Quetta. It is worthwhile to mention here that it is the right of every prisoner to meet with his/her counsel or relatives. Therefore, the application is accepted and the detenue’s counsel and her relatives are allowed to meet her,” it added.

However, Nadia alleged in a post on X that despite the high court’s order, jail authorities stopped her for three hours “blatantly violating the high court’s order”.

“Mahrang’s life and health are in serious danger as she is being held among dangerous, hardcore criminals. When she resisted this, she was threatened of solitary confinement.

“Surveillance cameras have been installed directly in front of her prison cell and washroom, and she is subjected to constant 24-hour monitoring. She has no privacy, even in personal matters and has reported that her clothing choices are also being observed.

“The food provided is extremely unhygienic, and we fear it is contaminated. As a result, both Mahrang and Bebo have fallen ill. Despite this, they are not being treated. They are also not being treated as political prisoners and are being denied basic rights,” Nadia alleged.

She appealed appeal to Quetta’s legal fraternity and human rights organisations to take immediate action to ensure Mahrang and Bebo’s safety and a fair trial.

Meanwhile, all businesses, banks, shops and petrol pumps in Gwadar were closed to protest against the arrests and cases registered against all BYC women leaders, including Dr Mahrang, Bebo Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch.

Thw protest came a day after the Karachi police detained Sammi and several others during a protest against the recent arrests of BYC leadership and a crackdown on its Quetta sit-in.

A similar situation was witnessed in Ormara, a city 270 kilometres away from Gwadar, where a complete shutter-down strike by the traders’ association was under way. Shops were also closed in Pasni, another coastal town 142km from Gwadar.

Separately, BNP-M president Sardar Akhtar Mengal announced a long march on March 28 against the arrest of BYC leaders.

In a post on X, Mengal said, “I announce a long march from Wadh to Quetta, against the arrest of our daughters and the desecration of our mothers and sisters.”

“I will lead this march myself, and invite all Baloch brothers and sisters, young and old, to join us in this march,” he added.

He also wrote: “This is not just a matter of the arrest of our daughters, it is a question of our national dignity, our honour, and our very existence. We will not remain silent until our mothers, sisters, and daughters are safe.”

The BYC welcomed Mengal’s call, stating, “The Balochistan National Party’s announcement of a long march is a commendable step, and we respect this decision.”