Archive · 6 Sep 2026
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.
- When
- The arrest followed a press conference held a few days earlier; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Where
- The case and press conference were reported in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.
- 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.
- 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