Quetta, September 13 (Daily Kiran) : Human rights activist Maherang Baloch has leveled serious accusations against the judiciary in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. She claims that the judiciary is acting as an accomplice to state institutions, thereby undermining the fundamental principles of justice.
In a statement released from Huda Jail in Quetta, Baloch emphasized that the judiciary has lost its influence and the public’s trust. She stated that the independence and impartiality of the judiciary have effectively vanished.
Baloch alleged that Chief Justice Kamran Mulakhai is personally overseeing all cases related to the Balochistan United Committee (BUC). Under his leadership, judges including Justice Muhammad Ali Mubeen and Justice Qadir Shah Bukhari have been tasked with delivering verdicts in line with state directives.
She cited the case of BUC leader Gulzadi Baloch as an example of judicial misconduct. According to her, the involved judge has repeatedly indicated that he is under pressure and has received instructions to impose a sentence in the case. This raises serious questions about the independence and fairness of the judiciary.
Baloch pointed out that despite a court strike on September 7 and the absence of the defense attorney, proceedings in Gulzadi Baloch’s case continued. The cross-examination of a witness took place even without the lawyer present, which she argued threatens the fundamental right to a fair trial.
Furthermore, she accused the authorities of appointing government lawyers without their consent in these cases, while BUC activists were denied their basic rights to defense.
Baloch questioned, “Is this justice in Pakistan’s Islamic Republic, where courts play a role in delivering pre-determined decisions by state institutions instead of making independent judgments?”
According to her, the BUC has boycotted 20 hearings between June 13 and September 10 in protest against the alleged “faceless trials.” She mentioned that a petition was filed in the Balochistan High Court regarding this issue, but the court, under Chief Justice Kamran Mulakhai, has continuously delayed hearings instead of addressing the fundamental rights of the defense.
Baloch further alleged that for the past six months, Chief Justice Mulakhai has repeatedly removed cases from the list instead of hearing their bail applications. She argued that punishing individuals through judicial processes while delaying bail matters contradicts the fundamental principles of justice.
Maherang Baloch has called on Pakistan’s Supreme Court and international human rights organizations to take immediate notice of the alleged “judicial bias” in BUC cases, the deprivation of the right to defense, and delays in justice. She also demanded a transparent and fair investigation into these matters.
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