The Balochistan High Court (BHC) in Quetta has agreed to hear on its merits a petition filed by Dr Mahrang Baloch, chief organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a prominent Baloch civil rights movement, challenging a life imprisonment sentence handed down by an anti-terrorism court. The sentence relates to a case involving the killing of a security personnel member, and will remain in force unless suspended or overturned in subsequent proceedings. Separately, Pakistan's Supreme Court has issued notices to respondents in a related bail application filed by Dr Mahrang and two other BYC leaders under the country's Anti-Terrorism Act.