The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has announced that its legal team has filed an appeal in the Balochistan High Court challenging the life imprisonment sentences handed to its leaders, Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Ji.
According to a statement, the organisation described the Anti-Terrorism Court’s verdict as “unjust” and argued that it failed to meet the standards of due process. The BYC claimed the convictions stemmed from a controversial murder case dating back two years and alleged that the judgment was delivered after what it described as a “faceless trial”, asserting that no evidence directly linked the defendants to the offence.
The organisation said the appeal requests the High Court to set aside the convictions and provide what it called a fair administration of justice. It further argued that the trial had reinforced concerns about judicial independence and access to justice in Balochistan.
The BYC also called on international institutions, human rights organisations and independent observers to monitor the High Court proceedings, saying external scrutiny would help ensure transparency and protect the judicial process from any undue influence.
Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Ji were sentenced to life imprisonment by an Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta in June over the killing of a paramilitary soldier during protests in Gwadar in July 2024. Prosecutors argued that the pair incited violence that resulted in the soldier’s death, while the defence has denied the allegations and maintains the case is politically motivated.
Pakistani authorities have defended the verdict, stating that it followed due legal process, whereas several domestic and international reputable human rights organisations and the BYC have criticised the proceedings and raised concerns over fair trial standards.