Balochistan – Detained BYC Activist Begins Hunger Strike Over Custody Concerns**
Balochistan –Reports from Pakistan’s Balochistan province indicate that a detained member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Syed Bibi Baloch, has begun a hunger strike while lodged at Central Jail Turbat, raising fresh concerns about her health and conditions of detention.
According to information cited by The Balochistan Post (TBP), Syed Bibi Baloch has been refusing food for the past two days. Her family and prison sources reportedly confirmed the development, stating that the protest was initiated to highlight what she considers violations of her constitutional rights during her detention.
Family Expresses Concern Over Health
Relatives of the detained activist said the hunger strike was launched in response to concerns about her treatment while in custody. They further stated that she had been experiencing health-related problems even before beginning the protest, making her current condition a matter of growing concern.
Family members fear that the prolonged refusal to eat could significantly affect her health if timely medical care is not provided. They have urged the relevant authorities to intervene without delay, address the issues she has raised, and ensure she receives appropriate medical examination and treatment.
Detention Under Public Order Law
According to the report, Syed Bibi Baloch has been held at Central Jail Turbat since July 3 after being detained under Pakistan’s Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law. The legal provision allows authorities to place individuals in preventive detention under specified circumstances.
At the time of publication, prison officials had not released any official statement addressing the reported hunger strike or responding to the family’s concerns regarding her health and welfare.
Wider Debate Over Rights in Balochistan
The reported incident comes against the backdrop of long-standing concerns raised by families of missing persons and several human rights organisations regarding the situation in Balochistan. Advocacy groups have for years alleged that political workers, students and civilians have been subjected to enforced disappearances, with some individuals remaining untraceable for extended periods while others have later been found dead.
These organisations have repeatedly called for transparent legal procedures, independent investigations and stronger safeguards to protect the rights of detainees. They argue that accountability and judicial oversight are essential to addressing the concerns surrounding such cases.
Authorities Continue to Reject Allegations
Pakistan’s government has consistently denied accusations of unlawful detentions, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Officials have maintained that security operations conducted in Balochistan are carried out within the framework of the law and are aimed at maintaining public order and combating security threats.
Despite these official assurances, human rights organisations and Baloch advocacy groups continue to seek impartial inquiries into reported cases, urging authorities to ensure accountability wherever violations are established. They have also renewed calls for measures that strengthen legal protections and prevent alleged enforced disappearances in the province.
The reported hunger strike by Syed Bibi Baloch has once again brought attention to the broader debate over detention practices, legal safeguards and human rights issues in Balochistan, with her family awaiting an official response from prison authorities regarding her condition and the concerns they have raised.