BYC announces Balochistan-wide strike in response to leaders’ sentences; PTM supports protest
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The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has announced a complete strike across Balochistan on Wednesday, June 24. This strike, a form of protest, aims to oppose the life sentences recently handed down to two prominent leaders of the committee, Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shahji. The BYC has called upon traders, transporters, students, political activists, and the broader Baloch community to participate actively and voice their dissent against what they perceive as injustice and repression.
In a recent court ruling, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta sentenced Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the chief organizer of BYC, and Sibghatullah Shahji, a central leader of the group, to life imprisonment. The case concerned the death of a Frontier Corps (FC) official, who prosecutors claimed was injured fatally during stone-pelting at a protest in Gwadar in 2024. The court’s decision has sparked widespread condemnation among Baloch activists and political groups.
The two leaders, along with other detained members of the BYC and their legal representatives, boycotted the proceedings. They described the trial as a “faceless trial,” held inside Quetta jail without transparency or proper legal process. This boycott underscored their stance that the trial lacked fairness and was politically motivated, further fueling protests and anger among their supporters.
The PTM (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement) has strongly rejected both the case and the sentences handed down to BYC leaders. In a central statement, the PTM accused the judiciary of being complicit in a broader system of repression. They argued that the legal process had been manipulated to serve the interests of Pakistan’s state institutions, rather than delivering justice.
According to PTM, the justice system in Pakistan has historically been used against oppressed nations, including Baloch and Pashtun communities. They emphasized that the judiciary’s role is often to suppress political resistance rather than uphold fair legal standards. The PTM pointed out that the legal proceedings against BYC leaders did not meet the criteria for a fair trial, lacking independent legal defense and an impartial judicial process.
The movement highlighted that the life sentences were based on cases arising from the “Baloch Raji Muchi,” a reference to a specific incident or event, but noted with concern that no formal case had been registered regarding the deaths of three Baloch protesters during the same gathering. This discrepancy raised questions about the fairness and consistency of the judicial process.
Furthermore, the PTM condemned ongoing issues of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and military operations in Balochistan and Pashtun areas. They questioned where justice could be sought for these cases, pointing out the absence of courts or legal mechanisms addressing state violence and repression in these regions. The lack of accountability for such violations remains a critical concern for these communities.
The PTM emphasized that the ruling against BYC leaders was not merely an individual punishment but a “message” intended to silence political voices demanding rights and resisting repression. They viewed the sentences as part of a wider strategy to intimidate and suppress movements advocating for autonomy and justice in Balochistan and Pashtun areas.
The movement reiterated that political resistance in these regions could never be eradicated through imprisonment, sentences, or military measures. Despite state repression, they asserted that the desire for political freedom and justice remains resilient among the people. PTM reaffirmed its full support for the upcoming strike and for the broader struggle against injustice.
In their concluding statement, PTM expressed unwavering solidarity with the Baloch people and all political prisoners associated with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. They rejected what they called an unjust judicial decision and vowed to continue their resistance and advocacy for the rights of oppressed nations. The protest on June 24 symbolizes their determination to stand against repression and to demand justice for their communities.
