QUETTA, BALOCHISTAN: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has welcomed proceedings of the Balochistan High Court on a constitutional petition filed against the conduct of faceless trials and restrictions imposed on open and public court proceedings.
On 11 August 2026, the Balochistan High Court issued notices to the respondents on the petition filed by Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch, Gul Zadi Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Ji, and Bebarg Baloch, who are currently facing trial while in custody at District Jail Quetta. The petition challenges the relevant government notifications issued on 24 November 2025, 10 October 2025, and 12 June 2026, as well as the application of Section 21 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
According to the BYC, the petition seeks to declare these notifications unlawful, unconstitutional and violative of Articles 4, 9, 10-A, 14, 25 and 175(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan. In addition to challenging the notifications, the petition formally prays the Honourable Court to declare that any trial conducted under the shadow of executive threats and in the secrecy of a prison environment, as well as any proceedings held in the absence of the petitioners and their defense counsel, are null and void. Furthermore, it requests the transfer of all cases and proceedings presently pending against the petitioners to another competent Court of law.
The the petition also asks the Court to restrain the respondents from intervening, influencing, or exerting administrative or executive pressure on the pending proceedings or presiding officers. It seeks to restrain the state from appointing substitute or state-nominated counsel, ensuring the petitioners’ right to counsel of their own choice is not defeated due to clashing hearing dates. Additionally, the petition asks the Court to direct authorities to grant the petitioners free, confidential, and unmonitored access to consult with their defence counsel for effective preparation of their defence and to direct the respondents to restore and conduct all proceedings and hearings in a publicly accessible, open court prior to the issuance of the June 12 notification, in the larger interest of justice, equity, and fair play.
The issuance of notices by the High Court is an important step in bringing the legality and constitutionality of these measures before the Court for judicial consideration. The respondents will now be required to respond to the petition and explain the legal basis for the measures being challenged.
The BYC has consistently maintained that the right to a fair and transparent trial cannot be compromised through procedures that prevent public access to judicial proceedings. Court proceedings involving political and other detainees must remain subject to transparency, due process and the protection of fundamental rights.
The use of closed or faceless proceedings raises serious concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and the right of an accused person to effectively defend themselves. Justice must not only be delivered according to law but must also be conducted through a process that remains open to public scrutiny.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee considers this petition not merely a legal matter concerning its detained leadership but an important question concerning the independence of the judiciary, transparency of judicial proceedings, due process, fundamental rights, and the rule of law.
BYC will continue to pursue all legal and peaceful avenues for the protection of the fundamental rights of its detained leaders and activists and will continue to demand transparent, open, and fair judicial proceedings.
