Prominent human rights activist Mahrang Baloch has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted in connection with the killing of a paramilitary soldier during a protest in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
An anti-terrorism court in Quetta found Baloch and fellow activist Sibghatullah guilty of murder and terrorism charges linked to a 2024 rally organized by the Balochistan Unity Committee.
According to prosecutors, the two activists incited a crowd during a demonstration in the port city of Gwadar, leading to an attack on paramilitary personnel. Authorities alleged that a group of protesters attacked security vehicles with sticks and stones, during which Federal Constabulary official Shabbir Ahmed became separated from his colleagues and was beaten to death.
The court ruled that both activists were actively involved in the gathering and shared responsibility for the soldier’s killing. In addition to life sentences, they were ordered to pay a fine of 200,000 Pakistani rupees to the victim’s family.
Baloch and Sibghatullah have denied all allegations and refused to participate in the trial, joining their legal team in boycotting the proceedings. Defense lawyers argued that the activists were denied due process, claiming witnesses testified through video links and that cross-examination opportunities were restricted.
The verdict has sparked criticism from rights groups and activists. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called for an immediate review of the ruling, accusing authorities of treating human rights advocacy in the same manner as extremism and raising concerns about judicial impartiality.
Baloch’s sister, lawyer Nadia Baloch, rejected the judgment, describing the proceedings as unfair. International activist Greta Thunberg also condemned the trial, calling it a “mockery of justice” and alleging that dissent was being criminalized.
However, officials from the Balochistan provincial government defended the prosecution, stating that investigators had gathered strong evidence and insisting the case was not politically motivated.
Mahrang Baloch gained international recognition for her campaign against enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings in Balochistan. She was named among the BBC 100 Women 2024 after years of activism inspired by the disappearance and death of her father, who was allegedly detained by security forces in 2009.
In 2023, she led a 1,600-kilometer march to Islamabad, demanding justice for missing persons. Her organization, the Balochistan Unity Committee, continues to campaign for the rights of families affected by enforced disappearances in the province.
The case has intensified debate over human rights, security policies, and political dissent in Pakistan, with supporters of Baloch describing the conviction as politically driven, while authorities maintain it is based solely on criminal evidence.