Balochistan Protests Erupt Over Conviction of Activists, Government Defends Decision

Balochistan: Widespread protests and a shutdown strike swept across Balochistan following the conviction of prominent Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Dr Mahrang Baloch and Shah Jee Sibghatullah, triggering debate over human rights, political dissent, and the treatment of activists in Pakistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post. According to The Balochistan Post, demonstrations were reported in several districts after the court verdict, with thousands of people taking to the streets to denounce what they described as a politically motivated judgment. Protesters accused authorities of using legal mechanisms to suppress peaceful political activism and silence voices advocating for Baloch rights. Before the verdict, the BYC had announced a province-wide strike and urged traders, transport workers, students, and political groups to participate in peaceful demonstrations. The strike call received a significant response across the province, leading to market closures and public gatherings in multiple towns and cities. Large rallies and protest marches were witnessed in Quetta, Khuzdar, Surab, Mastung, Noshki, Turbat, Kalat, and Gwadar, among other areas. Demonstrators demanded the immediate release of Dr Mahrang Baloch, Shah Jee Sibghatullah, and several other detained activists. The verdict has attracted criticism from human rights defenders, civil society activists, and political observers. Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has defended the court’s decision, asserting that the case was adjudicated based on evidence presented during trial proceedings, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. Officials have maintained that individuals found responsible for violence against state personnel must face legal consequences regardless of their political affiliations. Legal representatives for Dr Mahrang Baloch and Shah Jee Sibghatullah have announced plans to challenge the convictions before the Balochistan High Court, as reported by The Balochistan Post. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghat Ullah Shah Jee are leading members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a civil rights movement that campaigns against enforced disappearances, alleged extrajudicial killings, and economic marginalisation in Balochistan. They have remained in detention since protests erupted in March 2025, alongside several other Baloch activists facing multiple cases linked to their activism. (ANI) Also Read: UN urges Venezuela to fully unblock media access after earthquakes