Baloch rights activist Mahrang Baloch offloaded from US-bound flight en route to ‘Time100 Next’ gala

Baloch rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch has accused the government of preventing her from attending a prestigious Time magazine event by offloading her from a New York-bound flight.

Baloch, who was recently named to Time's 'Time100 Next' list, called the action an attempt to silence Baloch voices and control international narratives about the region.

In a statement on social media platform X, Baloch said she was removed from the flight at Karachi International Airport by a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official “without any valid or legal justification.” The 31-year-old activist said her passport was confiscated during the incident, further limiting her ability to travel.

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

Last week, Time magazine included Baloch in its ‘Time100 Next’ list, which highlights emerging leaders shaping the future across business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, and health. She was featured for her advocacy for Baloch rights, particularly in her fight against alleged human rights abuses in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

The province has been the site of a separatist insurgency for the past two decades, with ethnic Baloch militants clashing with Pakistan’s military. Human rights activists and Baloch families accuse the military of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The military, in turn, denies the accusations and claims it is focused on economic development in the impoverished region.

A paramilitary soldier frisks motorbike riders, a day after separatist militants conducted deadly attacks, on the outskirts of Quetta, Pakistan. Reuters

Baloch, in her social media post, alleged that the purpose of preventing her travel was to block Baloch voices from being heard internationally. “This arbitrary travel ban is part of the increasing crackdown on Baloch human rights defenders and activists.”

She said airport authorities confiscated her passport, claiming her name wasn't on the Exit Control List (ECL). “I will fight back against this unjust restriction on my rights to movement,” she vowed.

Baloch leads the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, a civil rights movement that has garnered significant attention in recent years. In December, she led a long march of hundreds of women to Islamabad, demanding justice for their “disappeared” relatives.

In July, she organized the "Baloch Raji Muchi" gathering in Gwadar, aiming to unite the Baloch people against what she described as ongoing rights abuses in the region.

Pakistan’s military has repeatedly rejected Baloch’s accusations, questioning her motives and the authenticity of her claims.