QUETTA: A complete shutter-down strike was observed across Quetta and several other areas of Balochistan on Wednesday.

The strike was called to protest against the life sentences handed down to Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) central organiser Dr Mahrang Baloch and another group leader, Sibghatullah Shahji, by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta on Monday.

The Balochistan National Party (BNP) backed the strike call, which was issued by the BYC.

In the provincial capital, business activities remained completely suspended, with shops and commercial centres closed on major arteries, including Sariab Road and Jail Road.

The strike paralysed daily life and commercial activity across the province. Reports of a complete shutdown emerged from several districts, including Mastung, Turbat, Nushki, Gwadar, Khuzdar, Kharan, Kalat and Panjgur.

Shops and markets remained closed throughout the day in Khuzdar and its surrounding areas. Traffic also remained thin in Khuzdar during the shutter-down strike.

While the strike remained largely peaceful, the local administration deployed heavy security to prevent any untoward incidents.

The court’s decision has drawn widespread criticism from mainstream political parties and legal bodies, including the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), the BNP, the National Party (NP), the PTI and the Balochistan Bar Council.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also denounced the sentences and demanded Dr Mahrang’s immediate release.

Political leaders said the ruling was a direct blow to freedom of expression, asserting that Dr Mahrang was being punished solely for raising her voice for provincial rights and the recovery of missing persons.

Abdul Wahid Shahwani in Khuzdar also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2026