An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta on Monday sentenced Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) chief organizer Dr. Mahrang Baloch and senior leader Sibghatullah to life imprisonment in a case related to the death of a security personnel during a protest in Gwadar.
Baloch and Sibghatullah have been in jail for over a year and face multiple cases involving charges of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, incitement to violence, and rebellion. They are further accused of creating public disorder, promoting racial hatred, and damaging property.
In a post on X, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti welcomed the verdict, declaring it delivery of justice in the Shabbir Baloch murder case after two years of legal proceedings, reflecting the supremacy of the law. He maintained Shabbir had laid down his life while performing his duty, adding the state would always remember his sacrifice.
Bugti said the court’s decision proved there would be no leniency for those who take the law into their own hands or promote violence. He said elements targeting state officials under the guise of peaceful protest could not escape the grip of the law.
The chief minister maintained the Balochistan government stood with Shabbir’s family and shared in their grief. He said Shabbir’s blood would not go in vain and that ensuring justice was the responsibility of the state. He reiterated that violence, unrest, and lawlessness would not be tolerated under any circumstance and operations against terrorists, their facilitators, and supporters would continue with full force.
Meanwhile, in another post on X, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan demanded a review of the ATC’s ruling and the “initiation of political dialogue” in Balochistan. The independent rights body regretted that the state had “continued its policy of dealing with advocacy for fundamental rights in the same way as it deals with militancy, leading to executive and judicial decisions that are lopsided and prejudiced.”