The arrest of Dr Mahrang Baloch under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) has been challenged in the Supreme Court (SC), with her sister filing an appeal against a Balochistan High Court decision that had referred the matter to the provincial administration.
The petition, filed by Dr Baloch’s sister Nadia, contends that the deputy commissioner was not authorised to order the detention under MPO rules, arguing that only the provincial government holds this power if satisfied under the law.
Dr Baloch, a prominent rights activist, was taken into custody on March 22.
The Balochistan High Court’s divisional bench had earlier ruled that the petitioner should first exhaust administrative remedies before approaching the court. However, the appeal argues that prior administrative recourse is not a mandatory requirement for seeking judicial intervention.
The petition requests the apex court to declare both the high court’s decision and the MPO detention unlawful. Legal experts suggest the case could set an important precedent regarding the use of MPO powers in Balochistan.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up the appeal in the coming week.
