Quetta, September 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Baloch human rights activist and Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) chief organiser Mahrang Baloch has accused the judiciary in Pakistan’s Balochistan province of acting as an accomplice to state institutions and undermining the principles of justice.
In a statement issued from Huda Jail in Quetta and posted on the BYC’s social media platform X, Mahrang alleged that the judiciary had lost its influence and public trust, while judicial impartiality and independence had effectively come to an end.
“Chief Justice of Balochistan Kamran Mulakhail is personally handling all BYC cases, while under his leadership, Justice Muhammad Ali Mubeen, Justice Qadir Shah Bukhari, and all other judges hearing BYC cases across Balochistan have been assigned the task of delivering verdicts on state directives. In such circumstances, the judiciary’s impartiality and independence have come to an end,” she said.
Citing the case of BYC leader Gulzadi Baloch, Mahrang alleged that judicial proceedings had demonstrated serious concerns over the independence of the courts.
“On multiple occasions, the relevant judge has stated that they are under pressure and have been instructed to impose punishment in the case, raising serious questions about judicial independence and impartiality,” she said.
She pointed to proceedings on September 7, when, despite a court strike and the absence of defence counsel, proceedings in Gulzadi Baloch’s case continued and a witness was cross-examined without the lawyer present.
Mahrang said the development raised serious questions about the fundamental right to defence and the principle of a fair trial.
“Similarly, in our cases, government lawyers were appointed without our consent and provided with various privileges to reach Islamabad, while we were deprived of our fundamental right to defence. Is this the justice of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where courts are playing the role of pronouncing decisions predetermined by state institutions instead of independent judgments?” she questioned.
According to Mahrang, the BYC boycotted 20 hearings between June 13 and September 10 in protest against what it described as “faceless trials”.
She said the committee had also filed a petition before the Balochistan High Court over the issue, but alleged that under Chief Justice Kamran Mulakhail, the court repeatedly delayed hearing the matter instead of addressing their concerns over the right to defence.
“On the other hand, for the past six months, instead of hearing our bail applications, Chief Justice Mulakhail has repeatedly delisted the cases. Punishing a person through the judicial process itself and continuously delaying matters of bail is contrary to the basic principles of justice,” Mahrang said.
She urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan and international human rights organisations to take immediate notice of what she termed “judicial bias” in BYC cases, denial of the right to defence and delays in delivering justice, and called for transparent and impartial investigations.
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