A near-total shutter-down strike gripped several regions of Balochistan on Wednesday, 24 June, as residents protested the life imprisonment sentences handed to four Baloch activists — including prominent Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Mahrang Baloch — by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court. The verdict, described widely as 'unfair,' has drawn sharp condemnation from international human rights organisations.

The Verdict That Triggered the Strike

A Pakistani Anti-Terrorism Court on Monday, 23 June, sentenced four activists to life imprisonment in connection with a case relating to the killing of a Frontier Corps official, according to local media reports. Alongside Mahrang Baloch, the court convicted Baloch Students Organisation (BSO) Chairman Balach Qadir, central leader Abu Bakr Kalanchi, and BYC leader Sibghatullah Shah Jee.

BYC Calls It Political Victimisation

The BYC shared images of the complete shutdown across various parts of Balochistan on its X handle, characterising the strike as a collective act of defiance. 'The strike reflected the collective rejection of repression, political victimisation, and the misuse of judicial processes. People from different walks of life expressed their solidarity and sent a clear message that Balochistan will continue to stand against injustice and the suppression of democratic voices,' the organisation said.

The BYC further alleged that the state prosecution brought 'baseless' charges against the convicted leaders and that the trial lacked essential 'judicial transparency.' It described the closed-door proceedings conducted inside Quetta jail as a 'faceless trial' — a tactic, it argued, to silence political voices in the province.

International Human Rights Condemnation

Amnesty International's Acting Regional Director for South Asia, Isabelle Lassee, condemned the ruling in unambiguous terms. 'This verdict, which is an affront to the right to a fair trial, demonstrates how Pakistan's anti-terrorism laws are being cynically misused to silence peaceful dissent. The conviction and sentence followed an expedited secret trial conducted on jail premises, during which serious concerns were raised over international fair trial standards and due process. No direct evidence was presented linking Mahrang and Shah Jee to the alleged violence,' she said.

The International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF) also sharply criticised the ruling, calling it a 'politically motivated weaponisation of the judicial system' to silence dissent and intimidate human rights defenders. 'This verdict is a blatant miscarriage of justice and a devastating blow to the rule of law in Pakistan,' the IHRF stated, describing Mahrang Baloch as 'a fearless and peaceful voice for the Baloch people, courageously campaigning against enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and state repression in Balochistan.'

Broader Context

The sentencing comes against a backdrop of longstanding tensions in Balochistan, where activists and rights groups have for years alleged enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of political dissent. Critics argue that Pakistan's anti-terrorism legislation has repeatedly been deployed against civilian protesters and rights advocates rather than armed combatants. This is not the first time a BYC-affiliated leader has faced legal action — the organisation has been at the forefront of protests demanding accountability for missing persons in the province.

As the shutdown demonstrated broad public support across Balochistan, pressure is expected to mount on Islamabad from international rights bodies to review the convictions and ensure compliance with fair trial standards.