Mahrang Baloch taken in custody in Islamabad

Mahrang Baloch was taken into custody along with dozens of protesters during a march in Islamabad, the capital city of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on December 21.

News Center- Police in Islamabad used force to disperse a protest by Balochis on December 21 after the protesters marched to draw attention to excessive arrests of Baloch people. Mahrang Baloch, a Baloch human rights activist and one of the prominent figures in the Baloch resistance movement, said on X that she was taken into custody along with other protesters.

“The march is under attack by the Islamabad police. I have been arrested along with several women and men by Islamabad police, but remember fascist state, we will defeat you,” her post said.

Most of the protesters were Baloch women, whose spouses or children disappeared in custody or killed by Pakistani security forces. Islamabad police used tear gas and violence against the protesters. Several protesters were reportedly injured by police.

“Right now, we are being treated worse than animals. Will the world raise its voice for us against this barbarism?” Mahrang Baloch wrote before being taken into custody.