Latest news with #BalochistanNationalParty-Mengal
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
BNP-M announces new round of rallies across Balochistan
Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal has announced upcoming rallies in Khuzdar on April 23, Gwadar on April 25, Noshki on April 27, and a major public gathering in Quetta on May 2. He said that when courts are unable to provide justice, people often feel compelled to raise their voices, as the party announced a new round of protest rallies following its 20-day sit-in in Lakpass. Mengal was speaking at a press conference at the BNP-M headquarters in Quetta on Friday, accompanied by former Member of National Assembly (MNA) Agha Hasan Baloch, Advocate Sajid Tarin, and other senior leaders. The meeting reviewed the outcomes of the sit-in and laid out the party's future strategy. Mengal commended BNP-M workers for their dedication during the prolonged protest, saying their perseverance under difficult conditions reflected the party's determination. He expressed concern over the recent agreement between the provincial government and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), suggesting it could compromise Balochistan's resource rights and the spirit of the 18th Amendment. "Such developments raise questions about provincial autonomy and the control of local resources," he noted. "We will continue to advocate for our constitutional rights through peaceful and democratic means," he said. Advocate Sajid Tarin stated that the BNP-M intended to approach the high court to challenge the mineral agreements, while Agha Hasan Baloch encouraged young people and women to take part in the rallies to help build a stronger future for the province. The BNP-M had on Wednesday announced the end of its 20-day sit-in protest at Lak Pass, Mastung, which had been staged against the arrests of Baloch rights activists including Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr Mahrang Baloch.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan party ends weeks-long protest over arrest of Baloch rights activists
ISLAMABAD: The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) on Wednesday called off a weeks-long sit-in in southwest Pakistan against the arrest last month of Baloch ethnic rights activists, the chief of the party said in a press conference. BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal and his supporters have been leading a protest since Mar. 28, days after Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the most prominent rights activist from Balochistan, and others were arrested after they took part in a protest outside the University of Balochistan in the provincial capital of Quetta. Baloch and other activists had been demanding the release of other members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee rights group, whom they allege have been detained by security agencies. That demonstration ended in the death of three protesters, according to police documents, and Baloch and others were charged with terrorism, sedition, and murder. The Pakistan army and government have in the past variously referred to Baloch and her BYC as 'terrorist proxies' who are allied with militant separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The group denies the charge and says it leads peaceful protests for the rights of the Baloch. 'Keeping in mind everything, giving importance to the difficulties of the people, the Balochistan National Party has decided that if the government does not allow us to go to Quetta, we will continue our protest, if not this way, then any other way we deem fit,' Mengal Said at a press conference in Mastung where his party had been holding the sit-in. He did not elaborate on a future course of action. The crackdown on BYC leaders followed a deadly train attack in Balochistan last month, in which BLA separatist militants took hundreds of passengers hostage. The army said 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack and rescue mission, which lasted over a day. Last year, Baloch was barred from traveling to the United States to attend a TIME magazine awards gala after being named on the 2024 TIME100 Next list of 'rising leaders.' She began her activist career at the age of 16 in 2009 when her father went missing in an alleged 'enforced disappearance.' His body was found two years later. Her BYC says it campaigns against such extrajudicial killings, abductions and other rights abuses against the ethnic Baloch people. The state denies official complicity. Protests and advocacy among the Baloch are often led by women, who say their male counterparts have suffered the worst in a decades-long state crackdown. Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades, where militants target state forces and foreign nationals in the mineral-rich southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran.
Express Tribune
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Mengal vows new protests
Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal announced on Wednesday that he would reveal plans for fresh demonstrations on Thursday (today) as his ongoing protest against the arrests of rights activists entered its sixth day. His negotiations with a government delegation the previous day ended without any breakthrough. Mengal, in a post on X, declared that he would announce the next phase of demonstrations at 5pm on April 3 (today). "The delegation that visited us yesterday to negotiate on our legitimate demands lacked the authority to speak independently," he stated. "They were 'messengers' without power, which 'lies with those who truly control this province'." He further warned the government that attempts to derail the movement through insincere talks would not succeed. "Tomorrow, April 3, 2025, at 5pm, we will announce our next phase of demonstrations," he reiterated. "If they (the government) believe they can distract us with these hollow negotiations, let it be clear: they've miscalculated once again." Mengal also lamented the communication blackout in Balochistan, calling it an effort to stifle dissent. "Since late last night, all cellular networks and home WiFi in Balochistan have been shut down," he wrote. "The sole purpose of this blackout is to silence the voices of the oppressed." Moreover, he accused the authorities of blocking senior PTI members who were en route to join the sit-in. "In response, trenches have been dug, more containers placed, and additional forces deployed. Every attempt the government makes to wash away its stains only ends up leaving it more tainted," he stated. Press conference A senior Balochistan police official on Wednesday called into question the legitimacy of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), asserting that it is not a registered organisation. At a joint news conference held at Quetta's central police office, Quetta Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Aitzaz Goraya, provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind and Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad bin Asad addressed the ongoing protests. While acknowledging the BYC's right to demonstrate, they asserted that vandalism and destruction of public property would not be tolerated. "The Balochistan government's position has been very clear: every political party or group has the right to protest peacefully as guaranteed by the Constitution," Rind said. DIG Goraya recounted an incident at Civil Hospital, saying that BYC members attacked hospital staff and vandalised security cameras. "BYC leaders and members went to the hospital to claim the bodies, but were told to bring the heirs," he said. "The BYC claimed that they are the heirs and that they will take away the bodies. I will leave it to you to answer the question of who the BLA's [Balochistan Liberation Army] heirs are." He further said that the BYC forcibly took away the bodies, damaging the hospital's mortuary, and assaulting both police officers and hospital staff. "On the one hand, they [the BYC] talk about human rights and on the other, they own the bodies of terrorists," Goraya stated, adding that law enforcement intercepted them and recovered the bodies. Detailing the damage caused during the protests in Quetta, the DIG revealed that demonstrators destroyed over 36 Safe City cameras, 18 poles, and several hundred metres of fibre optic cables. "Additionally, the university's gate was destroyed, a nearby post office was burned, and some protesters broke into a bank to steal money, but they were repulsed," he added. He said that legal action has been initiated against those involved in vandalism, and first information reports (FIRs) have been registered. "Everybody has the right to protest, but nobody has the right to destroy public or private property or block the public's right of way," Goraya asserted. "If you want to protest, do it in front of the press club or the DC's office." He further revealed that authorities had attempted negotiations with the BYC, but the group was unwilling to engage in dialogue. "Nobody was ready to listen. If they do not want to listen and just make a hue and cry as per the given legal procedures, the district administration had to act," he said. When asked about the BYC's legal standing, Goraya questioned, "Where is the BYC registered?" He elaborated that had the group been officially registered, they would have been bound by specific legal frameworks for conducting their protests. Responding to another query, Rind admitted that internet and cellular services had been suspended in Quetta due to security concerns. However, he reiterated that the government remained open to dialogue. "Negotiations are underway with [Balochistan National Party chief] Sardar Akhtar Mengal in connection with the Mastung sit-in," he added.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Night travel restricted on major highways in Balochistan
Listen to article The Balochistan government has imposed a ban on night-time travel across several key national highways in the province ami The decision, which has been enforced through a notification issued by various deputy commissioners, affects major routes in districts including Kachhi, Noshki, Musa Khel, Gwadar, and Zhob. According to the notification, the restriction applies to public transport, prohibiting travel from 6 PM to 6 AM. The ban covers several significant highways, including the Quetta-Taftan Road, Loralai-Dera Ghazi Khan Road, Sibi Road, Coastal Highway, and Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan Road. The move comes after multiple recent incidents, including a suicide bombing near a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) rally at Lak Pass in Mastung. In a separate attack last week, terrorists killed at least eight people, including four labourers and four police personnel, in Kalat and Noshki districts. Additionally, five passengers were executed two days ago after armed men intercepted a Karachi-bound bus in Gwadar's Kalmat area, forcibly removing the victims before killing them. Another major attack targeted a paramilitary convoy on the Nushki-Dalbandin highway, resulting in the deaths of five people, including three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, and injuries to 35 others. The security situation further deteriorated with an attack on the Jaffar Express by militants affiliated with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The attackers blew up a railway track, took over 440 passengers hostage, and engaged security forces in a prolonged standoff. A clearance operation by security personnel led to the elimination of 33 militants and the rescue of hostages. However, 26 passengers, including 18 security personnel, three railway and government officials, and five civilians, lost their lives. Additionally, three FC personnel were killed in an attack on a security checkpoint before the train ambush.
