Human rights activists sentenced to life in prison Pakistan over soldier's death

Human rights activists sentenced to life in prison in Pakistan over a soldier’s death, a case tied to violence during a 2024 rally in Gwadar. On Monday in Quetta, an anti-terrorism court gave life sentences to Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah, leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). Authorities said the BYC, accused of links to the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, incited a mob that attacked a security vehicle, seized paramilitary soldier Shabbir Baloch, and beat him to death with sticks and bricks. Prosecutors also argued the protest occurred without permission from district authorities. Shah and Baloch denied the charges, while a provincial government spokesperson said the case was about murder, not political activism. The trial was moved from Gwadar to a high-security prison due to disruptions, and proceedings later used video testimony.