Pakistan anti-terror court sentences Baloch activist to life

A prominent Baloch human rights activist and a fellow campaigner have been sentenced to life imprisonment by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), and Sibghatullah Shah were convicted on Monday, June 22, 2026, on murder and terrorism charges related to the death of a paramilitary soldier during a protest in the port city of Gwadar in July 2024.

The court found the pair guilty in the killing of Shabbir Ahmed, a soldier with the Federal Constabulary. Prosecutors alleged the activists incited a crowd that subsequently attacked a security vehicle, separated Ahmed from his unit, and beat him to death. The court stated the two had been active in an illegal gathering organized by the BYC and shared common objectives in the murder. Both were also fined 200,000 Pakistani rupees each, to be paid to the victim's family.

The activists denied all charges and boycotted the trial proceedings, which were moved from Gwadar to a high-security prison in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, due to security concerns and disruptions from protests by BYC supporters. Authorities said the trial utilized video links for testimony....