Quetta: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a prominent human rights organisation, has strongly condemned Pakistani authorities for placing Baloch political activists and rights defenders from across Balochistan under the Fourth Schedule of the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The group termed the move a deliberate attempt to stifle the Baloch people’s democratic struggle through coercion and fear.
“This action is not only unlawful but represents a dangerous pattern aimed at silencing peaceful political activity, suppressing dissent, and criminalising voices advocating for human rights, justice, and political freedom,” the BYC said in a statement.
The committee alleged that hundreds of Baloch political and human rights workers, including BYC members, had been added to the Fourth Schedule without any transparent investigation, legal proof, or due judicial process. “More names of political workers continue to be added to this list,” it added.
According to the group, 64 individuals from the Hub area of Balochistan — including political and human rights activists, students, and social workers — were recently added to the list.
“This process blatantly violates constitutional and fundamental rights, especially the right to justice, freedom of expression, political assembly, and movement, as protected under international human rights law,” the BYC said, adding that the misuse of anti-terrorism legislation for political repression reflected “the worst form of state oppression.”
The committee urged Pakistani authorities to immediately remove the names of all political and human rights workers from the Fourth Schedule and to cease using anti-terror laws as a tool against peaceful democratic movements.
Last month, human rights organisations also denounced the Balochistan government’s decision to place three Baloch women activists on the same list.
A notification issued on October 16 by the Balochistan Home Department accused Shalee Baloch, Central Organiser of the Baloch Women Forum (BWF), and Baloch Yakjehti Committee members Naz Gul and Syed Bibi of facilitating activities linked to “terrorism.”
The move drew widespread condemnation from rights groups and activists globally, who criticised the continued persecution of Baloch activists by Pakistani authorities.
