Latest news with #AkhtarMengal
Express Tribune
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
BNP demands release of detained Baloch women
The BNP has demanded the immediate release of detained Baloch women as it vowed to continue its protests till its demands are accepted. Addressing a rally in Quetta on Friday, BNP President Akhtar Mengal said the Baloch people had endured 75 years of injustice, declaring that the party would not back down until their legitimate demands were acknowledged and addressed. "The prisons are not new to us. We will not back down," Mengal asserted. He slammed the government for stopping the BNP's long march at Lak Pass, Mastung and barring the party from entering Quetta. The BNP-M rally drew a large crowd of flag-waving supporters, chanting in support of Baloch rights and reaffirming their commitment to continue nationwide protests. The public gathering came on the heels of a series of demonstrations demanding the recovery of missing persons. Strict security arrangements were put in place across the city, with a heavy police presence. Despite a tense atmosphere, the event remained peaceful and concluded without incident.
Express Tribune
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
SCBA chief wants govt to engage BNP-M
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Mian Rauf Atta has urged the federal and provincial governments to form a fully empowered committee to hold negotiations with Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal. Last Friday, the BNP-M announced a long march from Wadh to Quetta to protest against the arrests of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders and activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, as well as the police crackdown on their sit-in in Quetta. Sammi was released on Tuesday. An official statement was issued regarding the meeting between SCBA president and BNP-M chief, which took place in a remote location in Mastung district. According to the SCBA statement, BNP-M, which is engaged in a protest movement, presented its stance, asserting that their struggle and protest are constitutionally justified. During the meeting, Mengal disclosed that a committee from the Balochistan government had approached him. In response, the BNP-M laid out three key demands, including release of all detainees held under MPO and withdrawal of the related notification, as done by the Sindh government. The BNP-M sought permission to hold protests or sit-ins within a designated area which fell within the Red Zone. It further stated that if these demands are not met, BNP-M's entire leadership was prepared to court arrest. According to the statement, the BNP-M clarified that if their demands were not fulfilled within a day or two, they would proceed with their planned protest march towards the Red Zone. The SCBA president reaffirmed that the right to peaceful assembly, protest, freedom of expression, and movement are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The statement further noted that both sides agreed that dialogue, negotiations, and democratic processes are the only viable solutions to BNP-M's concerns and the broader issues of Balochistan. Separately, the SCBA president met with former Balochistan chief minister Dr Abdul Malik to discuss the province's pressing issues. Senator Mir Kabir Muhammad Shahi was also present during the meeting. According to an SCBA statement, the meeting was held in the context of efforts to unite all national political parties in addressing Balochistan's ongoing challenges. The discussions focused on formulating a long-term solution to the province's issues. Both sides agreed that border management and equitable distribution of resources are critical provincial matters. However, they emphasized that these concerns should not take precedence over public safety and the well-being of Balochistan's citizens. The statement expressed concerns over the "lack of seriousness displayed by mainstream political parties" regarding Balochistan's issues.
Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Mengal to lead long march against detention of BYC leaders
Balochistan National Party Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal has announced to lead a long march on March 28 from Wadh to Quetta against the detention of BYC leaders. Taking to his X handle, the BNP-M chief mentioned that he would lead long march, "which is against the arrest of our daughters and disrespect of our mothers and sisters." He invited the Baloch community, including men, women, elders and youth to participate in the long march. "It is not only the matter of our daughters' arrest but it is a question of our national dignity, our honour and out existence," tweeted Mengal, adding, 'We will not sit silent until our daughters, sisters and mothers are safe." "Our movement is peaceful. We have come out against cruelty and persecution. We will not stop unless we get justice," maintained the BNP-M chief. "Our march from Quetta to Wadh is not a journey of steps but a travel of conscience. The time has come that we get united and raise a single voice," he added. Earlier, several BYC protesters, including its chief organiser Mahrang Baloch, were taken into custody on Friday after protesters from Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) clashed with riots police, pelting armoured vehicles with stones and law enforcers responding by using tear gas, water cannons and blank shots on Sariab Road near the Balochistan University. The BYC accused police of using "excessive force against protesters", including live fire, killing three people and injuring dozens. Provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind, however, refuted the allegations, stating that the protesters resorted to stone-pelting and unprovoked violence, injuring several police officers, including a female constable. According to the government, the law enforcers acted in accordance with the law to clear a blocked national highway, while the BYC insisted that they used unnecessary force to suppress a peaceful demonstration.
