Hurriyat Leader Mukhtar Baba Held in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Kashmiri Hurriyat leader and former journalist Mukhtar Baba remains in judicial custody in Islamabad following his arrest in connection with a July 31 demonstration, raising concerns among Kashmiri political groups over the use of anti-terrorism laws against political activists.

Baba, who has been living in Pakistan for approximately two and a half years after leaving Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested during the night of October 9–10. He was produced before a court on October 12 alongside seven other accused persons, who were remanded to judicial custody for 14 days to facilitate an identification parade.

The court has fixed October 26 for their next appearance.

The development comes despite an Islamabad anti-terrorism court having granted bail to 96 people, including former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, arrested in connection with the same demonstration.

According to court documents, Baba was presented before the court along with Alam Hussain, Talib Hussain, Amir Hussain, Taimur Alam, Muhammad Waqas Niaz, Ali Zaman and Hamza Ali. The accused were brought to court with their faces covered.

Investigating Officer Abrar Hussain requested judicial remand to complete identification proceedings. The court accepted the request, observing that an identification parade was necessary in view of the allegations.

The defence was represented by advocates Mian Murtaza Hussain Toori, Ghulam Mustafa Baloch, Zahid Bashir Dar and Ibrahim Arshad Khan. Raja Naveed Hussain and Special Public Prosecutor Ehtesham-ul-Aziz appeared for the prosecution.

The case stems from a demonstration held at Islamabad's F-10 Markaz on July 31 in solidarity with protesters in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where political unrest over governance, constitutional powers and economic grievances had triggered public mobilization.

Police registered a case under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and other laws, alleging that demonstrators blocked roads, damaged property and clashed with security personnel.

The allegations have yet to be established in court.

Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was among those arrested following the demonstration. On September 7, Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain granted post-arrest bail to 96 accused persons against surety bonds of Rs 5,000 each.

However, arrests linked to the case reportedly continued even after the bail order.

Kashmiri political activist and lawyer Nabila Irshad, chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Party, was also arrested during the October crackdown. She subsequently secured bail on October 17 against a surety bond of Rs 5,000.

Baba, however, remains in custody.

From Srinagar Journalist to Hurriyat Activist

Originally from Srinagar, Mukhtar Baba has been associated with Kashmir's political and journalistic circles for several decades.

He became involved in the separatist movement during the early 1990s before entering journalism. He subsequently worked with media organizations in Kashmir for nearly two decades.

His name attracted considerable attention in November 2022 when Indian security agencies accused him of involvement in threats issued against Kashmiri journalists through a website known as Kashmir Fight.

The threats targeted journalists associated with several prominent Kashmir-based media organizations.

Indian agencies alleged that Baba had links with The Resistance Front, which they associate with Lashkar-e-Taiba, and accused him of involvement in identifying journalists targeted by the threatening messages.

However, a subsequent investigation by independent news platform Newslaundry questioned the evidentiary basis of the allegations, including material contained in a purported intelligence dossier.

The allegations were not established as judicial findings in the material reviewed.

Baba later became associated with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and its international communications activities. He has been identified in public statements as an international media secretary linked to the Hurriyat leadership.

He has also participated in international discussions and advocacy concerning the Kashmir dispute, political prisoners and the right to self-determination.

In May 2026, Baba was among several Kashmiri political and human rights figures who publicly rejected allegations made by India's National Investigation Agency against Kashmiri activists, describing them as politically motivated.

According to information available to Kashmir Times, Baba moved to Pakistan approximately two and a half years ago after spending time outside Indian-administered Kashmir.

Reports of Security Restrictions

Adding another dimension to the case, Kashgil News reported on October 16 that Baba's name had been placed on the Fourth Schedule by the Home Department of Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir in September.

The Fourth Schedule, maintained under Pakistan's anti-terrorism framework, allows authorities to impose monitoring and movement restrictions on listed individuals.

The reported designation could not be independently verified through an official notification.

The same publication reported concern among journalists and Kashmiri activists over Baba's whereabouts following his detention.

Kashmiri Hurriyat groups have expressed concern over his arrest and demanded his release.

The continuing proceedings have also raised questions about the treatment of Kashmiri political activists who relocated to Pakistan after facing pressure and restrictions in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The case has particular political significance because Pakistan has consistently advocated the protection of Kashmiri political rights and criticized the detention of Hurriyat leaders and activists by Indian authorities.

While the authorities maintain the right to investigate allegations of violence, the detention of political activists under anti-terrorism provisions has renewed concerns about the distinction between peaceful political activity and criminal conduct.

Legal observers point out that judicial remand for an identification parade does not establish guilt and that the prosecution must demonstrate individual involvement in the alleged offenses.

With 96 accused persons already granted bail and Nabila Irshad subsequently released, attention is now focused on the evidence against Baba and the reasons for his continued detention.

His next court appearance is scheduled for October 26, when further proceedings are expected to determine the course of the case.