BNP Calls for Protest, Shuts Down National Highway in Khuzdar Over Alleged False Cases Against Leaders

Khuzdar:On the central call of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), the Quetta-Karachi National Highway was blocked for public traffic in protest against the cases filed against Sardar Zada Mir Gorgin Mengal, political workers, tribal leaders, and traders in Wadh. The protestors, including BNP leaders, political activists, tribal elders, and traders, set up roadblocks at the Wadh, Drahkhala area, suspending all traffic on the national highway. As a result, hundreds of vehicles were stranded in both directions, causing significant difficulties for passengers. The highway remained closed from 8 AM to evening.

On the other hand, BNP’s leader, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, and his son, Sardar Zada Gorgin Mengal, along with hundreds of party workers, have been present at the Wadh Police Station for over a week, waiting to surrender. Speaking to the media, Sardar Akhtar Mengal condemned the government’s actions, accusing them of filing baseless cases against the party’s leaders. He revealed that over 1,200 individuals, including himself, traders, tribal and social leaders, political workers, and his son, had been falsely implicated in cases registered at Wadh police station. He added that these cases also involved children and women, and even individuals who had passed away.

Sardar Mengal claimed that the government’s incompetence was evident, with cases being filed without any justification. He expressed frustration, stating that despite being at the police station for 8 days, neither were they arrested nor were the cases withdrawn. He stated that the filing of multiple cases against thousands of people was an attempt to intimidate the party and its supporters. He further affirmed that they would continue their sit-in at the police station until their arrest or the withdrawal of the fabricated cases.

The BNP chief also pointed out that the district administration had previously made an agreement with local traders to withdraw all cases, but the most significant case, involving over 600 people and including terrorism charges, remained intact. Sardar Mengal emphasized that this particular case was aimed at instilling fear among the people of Wadh and claimed that his name might also be included in the case.

Following the protest, Sardar Mengal stated that the party leaders across the province would also surrender and that the party would decide on its future course of action, which could see the protest being further expanded.