The hearing on a petition to remove Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Mahrung Baloch’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) turned intense on Thursday, with a verbal altercation breaking out between Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and the petitioner’s counsel, advocate Imaan Mazari.
You should keep your mouth shut and stay within the limits of respect,” said CJ Dogar, irked by prior remarks made by Mazari apparently outside the scope of the case. He referred to her calling him a “dictator” and declined to issue any directives on the matter at hand.
During the hearing, the court was apprised by the Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan Arshad Kayani, that cabinet approval would be needed before any conclusive decision could be made on removing Mahrung’s name from the ECL.
However, directing his remarks at Mazari, CJ Dogar said, “Ms Mazari will go downstairs and hold a programme saying a dictator is sitting in court.”
Without specifying which remarks the CJ was taking objection to, Mazari insisted that her personal opinions were protected under free speech and should not affect her client’s case. “I am here with a [legal] brief, not in a personal capacity.”
The heated exchange continued with CJ Dogar warning the petitioner’s lawyer of possible contempt charges. Adding fuel to the fire, he turned to Mazari’s husband and fellow lawyer, advocate Hadi Ali Chatta, and said, “Hadi sahib, explain it to her…if I catch her someday…”
Mazari later took to X to retieriate that she was present in IHC on behalf of her client not as “activist Imaan Mazari”. She stressed that she was conducting herself “according to professional etiquette (and a court should do the same)”.
It is important for CJ IHC to understand that i am not activist Imaan Mazari in his Court, i am a lawyer holding a brief for my client and conduct myself according to professional etiquette (and a court should do the same).
Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s case should not suffer because of… https://t.co/IobrLpNs54
— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) September 11, 2025
“Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s case should not suffer because of any grievances a judge may have with her lawyer over the right to freedom of expression in a personal capacity.”
During the hearing, Mazari remained unfazed and maintained that the court was now “threatening” lawyers. “Go ahead with contempt proceedings,” she said, before the deputy attorney general’s interjection regarding the cabinet.
The hearing was adjourned till September 16 without any significant progress in the cas
Mahrung’s legal battle
Currently, Mahrung is being held at Hudda District Prison in Quetta under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), a legal provision that allows authorities to arrest individuals deemed a threat to public order.
She was detained in March on allegations attacking Quetta Civil Hospital and provoking public unrest, following a police crackdown during BYC’s protest against enforced disappearances.
She was placed on remand by an anti-terrorism court in March of this year, for 20 days, along with other Baloch Yakjehti. Her detention was then extended.
Mahrung was travelling to the US for the Time 100 Gala in 2024, when she was stopped at the airport and told that her name was on the ECL.
Since then, Mahrung has repeatedly petitioned the court through her lawyers seeking removal from the ECL.
