Karachi ATC acquits Dr Mahrang Baloch in sedition case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi on Wednesday acquitted Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr Mahrang Baloch in a sedition case.

On October 11, 2024, Quaidabad police had lodged an FIR against Mahrang, accusing her of inciting people through statements criticising security institutions.

ATC Judge Ayaz Mustafa Jokhio, who heard the case at the judicial complex inside the Karachi Central Prison, announced his order on an application filed by the BYC leader through her lawyer Jibran Nasir seeking acquittal in the case.

“I am of the view that there is no probability of the accused being convicted of any offence. I hereby allow this application and acquit the accused, Mst. Mahrang Baloch, d/o Abdul Ghaffar," ruled the judge.

Mahrang appeared via video link from Quetta prison, where she has been held since her arrest in March.

“The complainant has not produced any independent witnesses to support his claims,” the judge observed, noting that aside from the complainant, the prosecution’s remaining five witnesses were police officials with no firsthand knowledge of the alleged incident.

The judge added that during the investigation, no independent witnesses from the locality were questioned, and the statements recorded under Section 161 CrPC did not mention any details of the incident.