Islamabad, June 24: The Sindh Bar Council in Pakistan has strongly condemned the life sentences handed to Baloch activists. Mehrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch United Front Committee (BUFC), is among those sentenced to life imprisonment. Lawyers have expressed concern that this verdict lacks fairness, an independent judicial process, and the principles of natural justice.
On Monday, a Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced four activists to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of a Frontier Corps officer.
Alongside Mehrang Baloch, the president of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO), Balach Qadir, central leader Abu Bakar Kalanchi, and BUFC leader Sibghatullah Shaji also received life sentences.
In a statement, members of the council emphasized that the dignity of law lies not in its harsh punishments but in the fairness of the judicial process.
They stated, “The purpose of courts is not to impose any form of consensus but to protect freedom, prevent arbitrariness, and uphold human dignity. If judicial institutions are seen as tools to suppress dissent rather than protect freedom, it undermines the spirit of the constitution and erodes public trust in the justice system.”
The statement further noted, “Dissent is not a crime, and peacefully demanding civil rights cannot be considered treason. Every individual has the right to advocate for their rights, justice, and the voices of marginalized groups, which is the foundation of democracy.”
Members also asserted that no society can claim to uphold the rule of law while criminalizing those who express their views.
They denounced the actions taken against the Baloch activists, stating that punishing those who advocate for human rights and constitutional freedoms is against democratic values.
Highlighting the weakness of power, they remarked, “Those who peacefully demand their rights are indeed the strongest defenders of democracy, and punishing them reflects the weakness of authority.”
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