QUETTA: The family of Saifullah Baloch has called for his immediate release, saying that he is being held in illegal custody by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
According to the family, Saifullah was taken into custody on the night of March 12 in front of his friends by CTD personnel. They claim that no First Information Report (FIR) was registered despite their efforts to have a case filed.
The family stated that after days without information about his whereabouts, Saifullah was shifted on March 31 to a detention facility at Huda Jail. They said they were informed on Friday, April 3, that he is currently being held in a detention cell established under the Balochistan Prevention of Detention and Radicalization Act.
They said that the law is being used to give legal cover to enforced detentions, allowing authorities to hold individuals for months without formally charging them. According to the family, they were told that any charges against Saifullah would only be disclosed in June.
Questioning the process, the family said it is unjust to detain someone first and decide on charges later, insisting that if any allegations exist, he should be presented before a court immediately.
They also said that Saifullah has been subjected to physical, mental and emotional distress during his detention, including being told that his family had abandoned him, which they described as psychological torture.
Maintaining that he is innocent, the family said they remain deeply concerned and will continue their efforts until his release.
