Makran-In a deeply controversial move, a seven-year-old boy named Mr. Dost from the Makran region has been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and detained for two weeks after allegedly sharing a video on social media.
According to police sources, the child had uploaded a video of Gulzar Dost, a well-known social media activist from Turbat, who had spoken on human rights issues. Authorities claim that the video’s content had the potential to incite unrest or disturb public peace, prompting legal action under anti-terrorism laws.
Despite the boy’s extremely young age, a case was formally registered, and he was taken into custody—drawing sharp criticism from human rights organizations, legal experts, and child protection advocates across the country.
“This is an unacceptable misuse of anti-terror legislation,” said one lawyer familiar with the case. “A seven-year-old cannot comprehend the political or legal implications of what he shares online. Charging him under such a serious law is not only disproportionate but inhumane.”
Critics argue that the action violates both national juvenile protection laws and international standards on child rights. Many are calling for the immediate release of Mr. Dost and are demanding accountability from those responsible for allowing a child to access and use social media platforms that are legally restricted to older users.
The case has sparked a broader conversation about the weaponization of legal tools to silence political expression—even when disseminated unintentionally by a child. It has also raised urgent questions about digital safety, parental supervision, and legal boundaries in cases involving minors.
As the situation unfolds, pressure is mounting on authorities to withdraw the charges and ensure the child’s protection rather than punishment.
