In a shocking incident that has raised serious concerns about security in Balochistan, Judge Muhammad Jan Baloch was abducted in broad daylight on Tuesday while presiding over court proceedings in Kharan, Rakhshan Division. Armed assailants stormed the court complex in the Maskan Kalat area, set the premises on fire, and reportedly looted vehicles and official documents.
According to initial reports, the attackers kidnapped Judge Baloch and fled the scene after torching court records. The incident has been widely condemned by members of the legal fraternity and civil society, who have called it a grave failure of the state’s responsibility to protect judicial officers.
Judge Muhammad Jan Baloch hails from the Dahnuk area of Kech-Turbat district in Balochistan. After completing his LLB from Balochistan University Law College, he joined the judiciary and has since served in several districts across the province. He was recently appointed as a judge in Kharan. Belonging to a family with deep ties to the legal profession, his maternal uncle is a retired judge, while his brother is also associated with the judiciary.
A close colleague from his hostel days described him as an upright and principled officer.
“Mohammad Jan is a remarkable person. When he was previously posted in Turbat, he wasn’t keen on taking the position because, as he said, Turbat is his hometown and handling cases there could challenge his impartiality,” the colleague wrote on social media.
“Today, in broad daylight, my friend and brother, Judge Mohammad Jan Baloch, was kidnapped while presiding over court proceedings, and the court complex in Kharan was set on fire.”
Legal circles across Balochistan have expressed outrage over the incident. The Turbat District Bar Association issued a strong statement condemning the armed attack and the abduction of the judge.
“Qazi Muhammad Jan is a dutiful and honest judicial officer. His kidnapping has caused deep concern within the legal community,” the Bar Association’s spokesperson said.
The association also denounced the burning of court records and the theft of a vehicle belonging to Senior Advocate Salam Shah, demanding the immediate and safe recovery of the abducted judge.
The brazen attack has once again exposed the fragile security situation in Balochistan, where judges, lawyers, and law enforcement personnel continue to face threats from militant and criminal groups.
Analysts say the abduction of a serving judge, a symbol of justice and authority, underscores the government’s failure to uphold law and order. Citizens and legal bodies alike have urged authorities to take swift and decisive action to ensure Judge Baloch’s safe recovery and restore confidence in the justice system.