Human Rights Activist Mehrang Baloch Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in Pakistan

Pakistan. Human rights activist Mehrang Baloch, who has been campaigning for the disappeared persons in Pakistan's Balochistan province, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in a case related to the murder of a paramilitary soldier during a protest in 2024.

Mehrang Baloch, leader of the Balochistan Unity Committee (BYC), and another activist Sibghatullah have been convicted on charges of murder and terrorism. The prosecution had alleged that they incited the mob to murder soldier Shabbir Ahmed during a protest in Gwadar.

Mehrang Baloch has been denying the charges. Human rights activists and her legal representatives have claimed that the court's verdict is not impartial.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has also demanded a review of the decision. Mehrang Baloch was also included in the BBC's '100 Women 2024' list.