Balochistan: 7-year-old booked under ATA for sharing video on social media

A seven-year-old was booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for allegedly facilitating terrorism by posting a video on social media.

The case, registered in the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Makran, accused the minor of sharing the video of social activist Gulzar Dost's speech in Turbat. 

The minor suspect was produced before the court on Thursday.

The court was informed that the minor had shared the controversial video of an activist's speech on social media, which is considered an offence under the ATA 1970, since the speaker in the video was placed in the Fourth Schedule by the provincial government. 

Notably, Gulzar Dost has been in detention for two weeks over delivering the controversial speech. 

Read: Lahore police arrest 16 social media activists for spreading 'fake news' of Lahore college rape

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the incident and described it as a dismayed or horrified action. 

In a statement, it said that the commission sees the report against a minor child as an appalling action, and condemned his appearance before the court on charges of “terrorism” for allegedly sharing the speech of a social rights activist.

The commission believed that it was a “misuse” of anti-terrorism laws that reflect a “gross violation of child rights and due process”.

"HRCP is appalled by reports that a minor has been presented before an anti-terrorism court in Turbat on charges of 'terrorism' for allegedly sharing the speech of a rights activist on social media."

“We demand the immediate withdrawal of charges, a thorough review of the FIR and accountability for the officials responsible for this alarming overreach,” the HRCP statement added.