An anti-terrorism court in Quetta, Pakistan, has handed Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch a life imprisonment sentence, drawing criticism from global human rights groups and raising concerns about the rule of law in the country. The case sheds light on Pakistan’s shift towards a “Hard State” doctrine, evolving beyond counterterrorism to a broader governance model.
The concept of the “Hard State” was introduced by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in 2025 to combat terrorism, enhance internal security, and strengthen state authority. Mahrang Baloch’s arrest during a peaceful sit-in in Quetta and subsequent life imprisonment sentence have prompted questions about the doctrine’s application.
Renowned for her human rights advocacy work, Mahrang Baloch’s case has become a focal point in assessing Pakistan’s security doctrine. The prosecution of Baloch and other human rights defenders underlines a potential shift towards criminalizing peaceful dissent within the country’s evolving security framework.
The sentencing of Mahrang Baloch and other activists like Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha has raised international concern and scrutiny over Pakistan’s judicial practices. The cases are viewed not just as domestic legal matters but as indicators of Pakistan’s broader institutional direction, prompting calls for a review of the convictions.
