Overview

• Gulzar Dost regained freedom on bail pending trial after his arrest on July 7 for delivering an anti-state speech in Gwadar.
• An eight-year-old from Turbat and a seven-year-old from Gwadar have been presented before Anti-Terrorism Courts on terrorism charges for sharing Dost’s speeches.
• The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the cases as “highly reprehensible” and called for the immediate withdrawal of charges against the minors.
• Supporters of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee staged rallies in Islamabad to protest enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions in Balochistan.
• Rights advocates warn that broad application of counter-terrorism laws in the province is silencing peaceful dissent and targeting children.