Maps
Magazine

LEGAL

ATC Acquits BYC Leader Dr Mahrang Baloch in Sedition, Terrorism Case
A Karachi ATC has acquitted BYC leader Dr Mahrang Baloch in a sedition and terrorism case, citing lack of evidence and unreliable witnesses. She remains in custody due to other pending cases.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-03
ATC Acquits BYC Leader Dr Mahrang Baloch in Sedition, Terrorism Case

A Karachi anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday acquitted Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader and rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch in a sedition and public mischief case filed against her in October 2024, declaring that the prosecution failed to produce any credible evidence.

The case had been lodged by Quaidabad police under terrorism and sedition charges, accusing Mahrang of inciting the public and levelling allegations against state institutions. ATC Judge Ayaz Mustafa Jokhio announced the verdict on her acquittal plea, filed by Advocate Jibran Nasir.

In his written order, the judge stated:

“I am of the view that there is no probability of the accused being convicted of any offence… I hereby allow this application and acquit the accused, Mst. Mahrang Baloch.”

The court invoked Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which allows judges to acquit an accused at any stage if the evidence is insufficient for conviction.

No Independent Witnesses, Major Gaps in Investigation

According to the judgment, the prosecution’s case suffered from serious deficiencies. The complainant failed to produce any independent witnesses, while the five witnesses cited in the charge sheet — apart from the complainant — were all police officials who had no direct knowledge of the alleged incident.

Their statements under Section 161 CrPC did not mention “a single word about the alleged incident,” the court noted, indicating that they were not actual witnesses. Furthermore, the investigation officer (IO) did not involve any local residents during the site visit, nor did he record statements from the area’s people.

The judge highlighted that although the FIR was registered in October 2024, the challan was submitted almost 10 months later, in August 2025, with no explanation for the delay.

Charge Not Required for Acquittal

Addressing the fact that the charge had not yet been framed, the court said it was well established that Section 265-K CrPC could be invoked even before formal charges were presented. The judge emphasised the need for courts to avoid wasting precious public time on “weak, deficient, and inadmissible” evidence.

Appearance via Video Link, But Continued Detention

Dr Mahrang attended the hearing via video link from Quetta Prison, where she has been held since her arrest in March. Despite her acquittal in the Karachi case, she will remain incarcerated due to other pending cases.

Mahrang Calls Case ‘Fabricated’

Earlier, Mahrang had described the FIR as “fabricated” and reflective of the state’s discomfort with her activism. The complaint, filed by a resident named Asad Ali Shams, accused her of inciting violence, promoting enmity, and having alleged links with terrorist groups in Balochistan.

The FIR included a wide range of charges:

·       ATA Section 7 (acts of terrorism)

·       PPC Sections 124-A (sedition), 148, 149, 153-A, 500, 505

With the ATC’s decision, one major case against the activist has collapsed, but legal proceedings in other cases will determine her status going forward.
Tagged:

PakistanCourts

MahrangBaloch

BYC

KarachiATC
Share News: