Story perspectives

Quetta Court Gives Life Sentences, Rights Groups Decry Verdict

6/24/2026

Summary

Mahrang Baloch Sentenced

Quetta court sentenced activist Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah to life on June 24, 2026.
They were convicted of murder and terrorism for killing Shabbir Ahmed during a July 2024 protest.
Prosecutors fined them 200,000 rupees (£543; $719) payable to Ahmed’s heirs.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Amnesty International and defence lawyer condemned the verdict as a violation, noting that the video-link trial barred cross-examination and they will appeal to Balochistan High Court.

Summary

Rind Labels Murder

Provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind asserted that prosecutors presented undeniable evidence and that the case involved murder, not peaceful dissent.
Provincial officials said anti-terrorism operations will continue unabated to eliminate groups they claim undermine provincial peace.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, borders Afghanistan and Iran and holds vast oil, gas and mineral reserves.
The region endures a long-running separatist insurgency and hosts Pakistani Taliban militants and other armed groups.

History

Historical Context

In 1979 General Zia-ul-Haq launched a sweeping crackdown on Baloch separatists, detaining about 3,000 activists and causing roughly 500 deaths, as recorded by the provincial assembly. The same anti-terrorism courts now sentence BYC leaders Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah to life, echoing Zia’s legacy of suppressing dissent and drawing renewed international criticism.

1 of 3

Mahrang Baloch Sentenced

Quetta court sentenced activist Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah to life on June 24, 2026.
They were convicted of murder and terrorism for killing Shabbir Ahmed during a July 2024 protest.
Prosecutors fined them 200,000 rupees (£543; $719) payable to Ahmed’s heirs.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Amnesty International and defence lawyer condemned the verdict as a violation, noting that the video-link trial barred cross-examination and they will appeal to Balochistan High Court.

1 / 3