1 week ago
Rights Group Condemns Arrest of Retired Balochistan Police Surgeon
Dr Ayesha Faiz, a retired police surgeon, was arrested in Balochistan, Pakistan.
Police said a case was filed against her under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act.
They said this happened after she spoke at a press conference in Quetta.
At the event, she criticised the chief minister and the home minister.
She also discussed Balochistan’s politics and the role of women in the Baloch independence movement.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee, a rights group, strongly opposed the arrest.
The group said authorities were punishing people for speaking about alleged abuses.
Police have not publicly explained which specific legal sections or detailed grounds were used.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee condemned the arrest of retired police surgeon Dr Ayesha Faiz.
Police reportedly registered a case against Faiz under several provisions of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act.
Police sources said the case followed a Quetta press conference in which Faiz criticised provincial officials.
Faiz discussed Balochistan’s political situation, history, recent developments and women’s role in the independence movement.
The BYC called the arrest part of collective punishment and an escalation of what it termed undeclared martial law.
- Who
- Retired police surgeon Dr Ayesha Faiz was arrested, and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee condemned the action.
- What
- Faiz was arrested after a case was registered against her under several provisions of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act.
- Where
- The case and press conference were reported in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.
- When
- The arrest followed a press conference held a few days earlier; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Why
- Police sources linked the case to Faiz’s criticism of Balochistan’s provincial leadership, while the BYC said the arrest was retaliation for speaking about alleged human-rights violations.
Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s Position
Police Account
Reason for the arrest
Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s Position
The BYC said Faiz was targeted for speaking against alleged atrocities, human-rights violations and the destruction of orchards.
Police Account
Police sources said a case was registered after Faiz criticised Balochistan’s chief minister and home minister during a press conference.
Meaning of the action
Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s Position
The BYC called the arrest part of collective punishment and an escalation of what it termed undeclared martial law in Balochistan.
Police Account
Police sources cited an Anti-Terrorism Act case but did not publicly provide the specific sections, detailed grounds for arrest or further legal-proceeding information.
Key facts
- Arrested person
- Dr Ayesha Faiz, a retired police surgeon
- Agency involved
- Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department
- Legal basis
- Several provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act; police did not disclose the specific sections
- Reported location
- Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan
- Trigger cited by police
- A press conference in which Faiz criticised Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and the provincial home minister
- Rights group response
- The Baloch Yakjehti Committee condemned the arrest and described it as collective punishment
- Related dispute
- The BYC linked the arrest to controversy over alleged threats to destroy apple orchards in Mastung
Quotes
Baloch Yakjehti Committee
Balochistan-based rights and political advocacy organization
“The cutting down of orchards in Mastung is part of collective punishment, and the arrest of Dr Ayesha Faiz for raising her voice against these crimes is a continuation of the escalation of undeclared martial law in Balochistan.”
thehansindia.com
“Whenever a citizen raises their voice against these atrocities and human rights violations, they too are targeted with state power and silenced merely as punishment for speaking out and telling the truth.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
Pakistani forces accused of disappearing three more Baloch civilians
Balochistan Drone Strike Kills Four, Sparks Outrage Over Civilian Deaths
Rights Group Reports Five More Forced Disappearances in Balochistan
Families Leave Balochistan Homes Amid Intensifying Security Crackdown
Baloch Yakjehti Committee Backs Protests Over Alleged Balochistan Airstrikes
BLA Attack on Pakistani Army Convoy Leaves 23 Feared Dead
BLA Claims 25 Killed as Pakistan Reports 48 Militants Dead
Pakistani Forces Kill 12 After Balochistan Convoy Attack
