Dr Mahrang Baloch not allowed to leave for Time magazine event in New York

Baloch activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch was recently offloaded from a flight to New York by the federal government just before she boarded the flight to attend a Time magazine event this week.

Dr Mahrang Baloch accused the government of illegally offloading her from the flight, saying the action reflected the state’s “growing fear and insecurity” toward Baloch voices.

Dr Baloch was featured in the list of 100 most influential people for “advocating peacefully for Baloch rights.”

In a post on X, Dr Mahrang said she was offloaded from her flight to New York by a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official “without any valid or legal justification,” adding that her passport was also confiscated.

“I was unjustly stopped at Karachi International Airport with no legal or valid given reason, which is a clear violation of my fundamental right to freedom of movement,” Baloch wrote while adding, “This action reflects the growing fear and insecurity of the state toward Baloch voices.”

Her lawyer and human rights activist, Jibran Nasir, posted a picture of her along with a video showcasing her fellow activist, Sammi Baloch, being manhandled by unidentified men.

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A post shared by Mohammad Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@mjibrannasir)

Jibran Nasir wrote, “The State in order to cover up its lapses, failures and inability to provide effective security against terror attacks chooses to target and harass peaceful activists. Not only was Mahrang Baloch not allowed to board her flight last night but later as per reports her and Sammi Baloch while leaving airport were stopped and manhandled, their driver beaten up and car keys taken away. Mahrang was travelling to New York for Time Magazine’s gala where she along with other ‘Most Influential Emerging Leaders of the Year’ were invited.”

Dr Baloch protested and promised to fight back against this action. “I will fight back against this unjust restriction on my rights to movement.”