Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Rights Group Condemns Pakistan's Use of Anti-Terrorism Act Against Baloch Activists
Imagine a country has a special list for people suspected of terrorism, called the Fourth Schedule.
A group that helps people, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, is very upset because the government of Pakistan is putting many Baloch people, who are activists and defenders of human rights, on this list.
They say these people are just trying to speak up for their rights and freedoms, not causing harm.
The group believes this is unfair and illegal because these activists haven't had proper court processes.
They feel the government is using this list to scare and stop people from talking about important issues.
The group wants the government to remove these activists from the list and stop using terror laws to silence people.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) condemns Pakistan's decision to place Baloch activists on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
The BYC states this action is illegal and an attempt to suppress peaceful political activities and human rights defenders.
Hundreds of Baloch activists, including BYC members, have allegedly been added to the list without transparent proceedings or judicial evidence.
The rights body asserts that this violates fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly.
The BYC demands the immediate removal of all individuals from the Fourth Schedule and an end to using anti-terrorism laws for political suppression.
- Who
- The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and other human rights organizations
- What
- Condemning Pakistani authorities for placing Baloch political activists and human rights defenders on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
- When
- Recently, with a specific notification mentioned from October 16.
- Where
- Balochistan, Pakistan
- Why
- The rights group alleges this is an illegal attempt to suppress peaceful political activities, silence dissent, and criminalize human rights defenders, violating constitutional and international human rights laws.
- Organization Condemning Action
- Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)
- Legislation Used
- Fourth Schedule of Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA)
- Individuals Affected
- Baloch political activists, human rights defenders, students, and social activists
- Specific Case Mentioned
- 64 individuals from the Hub area, Shalee Baloch, Naz Gul, and Syed Bibi
- Date of Notification (Specific Case)
- October 16