Quetta, June 24: Protests erupted across various regions of Balochistan on Wednesday in response to life sentences handed down to Baloch activists, including leader Maherang Baloch. Demonstrators labeled the court’s decision as “unjust.”
The protests began following a ruling by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court that sentenced four activists to life imprisonment. Local media reports indicate that the case was linked to the murder of a Frontier Corps officer.
In addition to Maherang Baloch, the court also sentenced Balach Qadir, president of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO), central leader Abu Bakar Kalanchi, and BYC leader Sibgatullah Shah to life in prison.
The Baloch Youth Committee (BYC) shared images on their social media platform, X, showing complete shutdowns in various parts of Balochistan. They stated, “This strike reflects the collective outrage of the people against oppression, political vendetta, and the misuse of judicial processes. Different sectors of society have shown their solidarity, sending a clear message that Balochistan will stand against injustice and the suppression of democratic voices.”
The BYC criticized the verdict, claiming that the state had leveled “false and baseless” charges against the leaders and that the trial lacked necessary “judicial transparency.”
They stated, “The hearing, conducted in a closed room at Quetta Jail, referred to as a ‘faceless hearing,’ is seen as an attempt to silence Balochistan’s political voices. The constitution and laws are being used not to deliver fair justice, but to suppress political dissent. The people of Balochistan will not accept this injustice against their leaders and stand firm.”
Meanwhile, several major human rights organizations have also condemned the ruling, calling it a violation of the right to a fair trial and an open breach of justice.
Isabel Lasi, acting regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, reacted to the life sentences given to Maherang Baloch and others, stating, “This decision is against the right to a fair trial. It shows that Pakistan’s anti-terror laws are being used to silence peaceful dissent.”
She noted that the sentences followed a swift, secret hearing within the prison, raising serious questions about the fairness of the legal process. Lasi also pointed out that no direct evidence linking Maherang and Shah to any violence was presented.
The International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF) also harshly criticized the ruling, stating, “This is not justice; it is the use of the judicial system to suppress political dissent and intimidate human rights activists.”
The organization added, “This decision is a significant blow to the rule of law in Pakistan. BYC leader Dr. Baloch has consistently raised the voices of the Baloch people and campaigned against enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and state oppression. Her only ‘crime’ has been to expose serious human rights violations.”
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