Baloch Activist's Legal Battle: Passport Stolen Amid Controversy

Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch filed a petition in the Sindh High Court for her stolen passport and phone. The court demanded their recovery by October 21. The activist faced travel bans and false allegations, highlighting the broader human rights abuses in Balochistan, including abductions and extrajudicial killings.

Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch activist, filed a petition on Monday in the Sindh High Court, seeking the recovery of her stolen passport and mobile phone. The activist claimed these items were snatched on October 8 while returning from Karachi Airport. Subsequently, the court issued a notice to the Senior Superintendent of Police and the Station House Officer of Malir, instructing them to retrieve and present the stolen belongings by October 21.

Baloch, who was previously prevented from traveling to New York for Time Magazine's prestigious gala, highlighted these legal battles on her social media platform, X. She was listed among TIME's Most Influential Emerging Leaders of the Year but was halted at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport by Pakistan's immigration officials, despite possessing a valid U.S. visa. This prevention was reported by Time Magazine, drawing attention to broader issues of rights violations faced by the Baloch community.

Balochistan citizens, including those like Mahrang Baloch, confront routine persecution, including abductions and extrajudicial killings amid a long-standing separatist insurgency. Despite the region's mineral wealth, economic and social benefits fail to reach its people, exacerbated by state contracts with international entities. The Baloch Yakhjeti Committe emphasizes that the Baloch must unite against state oppression to end enforced disappearances.

(With inputs from agencies.)