Abuse of power & retaliationOversight & ethics enforcementCourts & justice
Quetta anti-terrorism court sentences Baloch rights activist Mahrang Baloch to life over a 2024 Gwadar protest death; trial held inside jail after defence boycott
Confidence: Corroborated · 3 sourcesBalochistan · Oct 6, 2026
Subject of this story
Anti-Terrorism Court, Quetta
Also named
Affected
Mahrang Baloch, Leader, Baloch Yakjehti Committee
Sibghatullah Shahji, Member, Baloch Yakjehti Committee
Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)
Advocate
Front Line Defenders
What happened
On 22 June 2026 an Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta sentenced Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shahji of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee to life imprisonment over the death of a paramilitary soldier during a July 2024 protest in Gwadar. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said justice had been delivered after two years of proceedings. The defendants deny the charges. Front Line Defenders and a legal analysis say the trial was held inside Hudda Jail, defence counsel boycotted it, and state-appointed counsel were assigned over objections; her lawyer has said he will appeal.
Sources (3)
Geo Newsjustice had been delivered in the Shabbir Baloch murder case after two years of legal proceedings
Front Line DefendersThe trial was conducted in Hudda Jail
New Bloomdefense counsel boycotted proceedings citing lack of confidence
Response
Anti-Terrorism Court, Quetta
Not yet contacted
Not yet contacted for this story.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.