Quetta ATC convicts Mahrang Baloch, another BYC leader in 2024 Gwadar case

QUETTA: An anti-terrorism court in Quetta has convicted Baloch Yakjehti Committee chief organiser Mahrang Baloch and another group leader in a case linked to the death of a security official during a 2024 protest in Gwadar that turned violent.

ATC Quetta-1 Judge Muhammad Ali Mobeen heard the case relating to the death of a Frontier Corps personnel who, succumbed to injuries after a mob pelted stones. Mahrang, Sibghatullah Shahji and others had been nominated in the case. After concluding proceedings, the court announced its ruling on Monday.

Mahrang’s lawyer Israr Jattak told reporters that the court had handed life imprisonment to Mahrang and Sibghatullah. He said:

"The judge of the ATC Quetta has awarded a life term to Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Ji in the murder case of FC personnel,"

The written judgment has not yet been issued.

Case background

The case is connected to clashes involving BYC protesters in Gwadar on July 29, 2024, when the organisation had gathered for the Baloch Rajee Muchi, described as the Baloch National Gathering. In separate confrontations at the Talar check-post and on Marine Drive, three people were killed and 10 others were injured.

A day earlier, as participants moved towards Gwadar, a press note issued by the deputy commissioner of Kalat said marchers had attacked a Levies checkpoint near Mastung and used what it described as extreme violence. The press note stated that security personnel had stopped the rally three kilometres outside Mastung for talks, after which, it said, armed individuals waiting in Mastung city opened fire on Frontier Corps personnel.

The note said two FC personnel and four civilians were wounded in that incident.

Detention and related cases

Mahrang and Sibghatullah have been in jail for the past two years in multiple cases. Dr Mahrang was first taken into custody on March 22 last year and detained under the Balochistan Maintenance of Public Order for 30 days. That detention was then extended twice more for 30 days each.

Before the third detention period ended, she was arrested in another case. Following the MPO detention, cases were also registered against Mahrang and other BYC leaders under various provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Pakistan Penal Code.

While the BYC is not among organisations banned by the National Counter Terrorism Authority, Mahrang is included in Nacta’s list of proscribed persons. In May 2025, the Balochistan High Court dismissed constitutional petitions seeking the release of Mahrang and two other activists. Those rulings were later challenged in the Supreme Court.