Quetta: Reactions continued to pour in on Tuesday after an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta sentenced Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr Mahrang Baloch and three other activists to life imprisonment in connection with the killing of Frontier Corps (FC) sepoy Shabbir Ahmed during the July 2024 Raji Muchi gathering in Gwadar.

The court found Dr Mahrang Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Jee, Balach Qadir and Abu Bakar Kulanchi guilty in the case and handed down life sentences. The verdict has since drawn criticism from political parties, student organizations, activists and international rights advocates.

BYC Announces Province-Wide Strike

In a statement issued following the verdict, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee announced a province-wide shutter-down strike and described the ruling as "unjust."

According to the group, the verdict represents an attempt to suppress political dissent in Balochistan. BYC called on traders, transporters, students and political activists to participate in the strike and protest what it described as an unfair judicial decision.

The organization further alleged that the case lacked a sufficient legal basis and questioned the evidence presented during the trial. These claims have not been independently verified by *Balochistan Dispatch*.

Student Group Raises Fair Trial Concerns

The Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) also criticized the verdict.

In a statement, the organization said it believed the convicted activists had not received a fair trial and expressed concern over the transparency of the proceedings.

According to BSAC, political activists in Balochistan have faced arrests, harassment and restrictions on political activity for an extended period. The group argued that transparent investigations and open court proceedings are necessary to ensure public confidence in the justice system.

BYC leader Sami Deen Baloch also criticized the court ruling.

According to a statement attributed to her, concerns regarding the trial process had existed since proceedings were shifted to what activists described as a "faceless" or remote trial format. She alleged that the verdict had been predetermined and accused state institutions of attempting to silence peaceful political voices.

These allegations have not been substantiated in court records reviewed by Balochistan Dispatch.

Former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani expressed concern over the verdict.

According to Raisani, many Baloch citizens view the sentences negatively and believe such decisions could further widen existing political divisions. He called for dialogue on issues including missing persons, political representation and resource governance rather than further confrontation.

The Balochistan National Party (BNP) announced its support for BYC's shutter-down strike.

In a statement, the party criticized the life sentences and alleged that the convicted individuals had not been provided a fair trial. BNP further claimed that political activists in Balochistan continue to face legal and administrative pressures.

The party stated that it would continue to raise these concerns through political and parliamentary channels.

PTI Expresses Concern

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also expressed concern regarding the verdict.

According to a statement issued by the party's central media department, PTI believes the requirements of a transparent trial were not fully met. The party called for a review of the decision and emphasized the importance of constitutional protections and due process.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai criticized the ruling and questioned the conduct of state institutions.

According to remarks circulating from his parliamentary speech, Achakzai argued that constitutional principles and democratic norms must be upheld in all politically sensitive cases.

International reactions also emerged following the verdict.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg expressed concern over the sentencing of Dr Mahrang Baloch and her colleagues. According to a video statement shared online, Thunberg described Mahrang Baloch as a prominent advocate for missing persons and accountability in Balochistan.

Thunberg questioned the transparency of the trial process and called for accountability, fair judicial procedures and the protection of peaceful political expression.

Separately, supporters of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi also criticized the ruling and reportedly characterized the verdict as politically motivated. Those claims remain allegations made by rights advocates and have not been addressed by Pakistani authorities.


Legal experts note that the convicted individuals retain the right to challenge the verdict before higher courts. At the time of publication, no appeal had yet been officially announced.