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BYC Leader Sammi Deen Baloch Detained for 30 Days Under MPO
Sindh govt detains BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch & four others for 30 days under MPO. Lawyer Jibran Nasir vows to challenge the order in court. Counter-protests also held in Karachi.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-25
BYC Leader Sammi Deen Baloch Detained for 30 Days Under MPO

The Sindh government on Tuesday ordered the 30-day detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Sammi Deen Baloch and four others under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) following their protest in Karachi.

Sammi and several other BYC activists were initially detained by Karachi police on Monday for violating Section 144, which had been imposed to prevent protests. The authorities used force to disperse demonstrators gathered outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) to protest against the recent arrests of BYC leadership and a crackdown on their Quetta sit-in.

Crackdown on BYC Protesters

The BYC had organized a demonstration against the detention of its key leaders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, who was arrested in Quetta on Saturday along with 16 activists. The arrests followed allegations that three BYC protesters had died due to police action.

In Karachi, Artillery Maidan police booked Sammi and five other detained activists under Section 188 for violating Section 144.

According to the Sindh home department’s order, which was based on a recommendation from the Sindh Inspector General of Police, Sammi and four others—Razzak Ali, Abdul Wahab Baloch, Shehdad, and Sultan—were detained for allegedly “instigating the public to block roads and organize sit-ins,” posing a threat to peace and order. The government claimed their presence could cause a “breach of peace and tranquility.”

The order stated that the five detainees would be held at Karachi’s Central Jail under the supervision of the senior superintendent.

Legal Challenge Against MPO

Sammi’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, confirmed that she had been transferred to Central Jail Karachi under the MPO order.

“The learned judicial magistrate discharged all five accused in the FIR registered yesterday,” Jibran stated in a post on X.

“As soon as the accused were discharged and ordered to be released, the police started waving the MPO order. While Sammi surrendered and willfully gave her arrest, the whereabouts of four others—Lala Wahab, Raziq, Sultan, and Shahdad—are unknown.”

Jibran further announced that he would be challenging the MPO in the Sindh High Court.

Section 144 and Counter-Protests

Monday’s protest saw around 35-40 BYC activists attempting to enter Karachi’s Red Zone from Fawara Chowk, according to the police. The FIR, filed on a police complaint, accused the protesters of forcefully entering the restricted area despite efforts to stop them.

To prevent demonstrations, Karachi authorities imposed Section 144, blocking all roads leading to the KPC with temporary barriers. This caused severe traffic congestion in the city center, with many commuters stuck for hours, some even breaking their fast on the road.

Meanwhile, counter-protests were organized in Karachi, with demonstrators holding placards linking the BYC to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Some protesters displayed banners accusing BYC of having ties with India’s intelligence agency, RAW.

One such demonstration was held outside the KPC, while another took place near Zainab Market under the Pakistan Ulema Council’s banner. Another protest expressing solidarity with the armed forces was also held near Fawara Chowk.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Syed Asad Raza stated that the police dispersed the counter-protests, reiterating that no public assemblies were being allowed as per the commissioner’s notification.

As tensions escalate, the legal battle over Sammi Deen Baloch’s detention is set to unfold in the Sindh High Court, while protests and counter-protests continue to shape the situation in Karachi.
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Balochistan

Karachi

BYCProtests

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