Quetta, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Leading human rights activist and Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) chief organiser Mahrang Baloch has alleged that Pakistani authorities offered detained Baloch activists the option of settling in Europe in an attempt to persuade them to abandon their peaceful political struggle.
Mahrang alleged that the authorities offered a deal under which one detainee would be released to act on their instructions, following which the remaining activists would also be freed. She said the activists rejected the offer, including a proposal to settle in Europe for two or three years.
“We were even offered that if we complied with their demands, one person among us would be released; that person would go out and act on their instructions, and then the rest would also be released. We were also offered to settle in Europe for two or three years. We rejected all such offers, including these, because our struggle is not for any temporary concession, privileges, or personal gain,” she said in a statement posted on X.
Mahrang also condemned the life imprisonment handed down to BYC leader Gulzadi Baloch by a Pakistani court on September 21, calling the verdict part of what she described as the continued suppression of peaceful political voices in Balochistan.
She alleged that witnesses were cross-examined in the absence of defence counsel, that the defence was not given a full opportunity to present its case, and that orders were passed in the absence of the accused and their lawyers.
Questioning the conduct of the proceedings, Mahrang raised concerns over alleged pressure and lack of impartiality during the trial and questioned whether such proceedings could be regarded as justice.
“Gulzadi Baloch is not an unknown face; she is our comrade and a part of our struggle. A life sentence may be imposed to silence her, but our voice against the injustice done to her cannot be imprisoned,” she said.
Mahrang alleged that Pakistani authorities had continued to pressure Baloch activists under the pretext of negotiations to abandon their peaceful political struggle.
“We were told that all judges are in our hands and that any request given by you holds no weight. Despite all these circumstances, we chose the path of logic and political courage, which is part of our fundamental political training,” she said.
She added that the organisation represents a political struggle for the basic rights of the people of Balochistan and had never refused dialogue or negotiations for those rights.
Mahrang further said that the sentences handed down by what she termed Pakistan’s “kangaroo courts” had strengthened, rather than weakened, the resolve of the organisation and its members.
“We will not trade the trust of our nation; for us, the national ideology, political principles, and loyalty to our people are far more important than any personal gain,” she said.
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