PPP Leaders Launch Scathing Criticism Against Akhtar Mengal and BNP: Accusations of Terrorism, Blackmail, and Hypocrisy in Politics

Quetta: In an emergency press conference, leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Balochistan launched a severe critique against Sardar Akhtar Mengal and his party, Balochistan National Party (Mengal), accusing them of being anti-state, blackmailers, and supporters of terrorists. Alongside Shahid Rand, the spokesperson for the Balochistan government, PPP leaders Ali Madad Jatak, Sadiq Umarani, Faisal Jamali, Asfandyar Khan, and others addressed the media.
Sadiq Umarani, one of the key figures, stated that the leaders of the Dera UC (Union Council) have been shifting their demands and objectives, often coming up with new points such as the six-point plan, making their intentions unclear. He dismissed Akhtar Mengal’s critical statements against the PPP as baseless, accusing him of secretly negotiating with the government behind the scenes.
Umarani emphasized that PPP has always made sacrifices in the democratic struggle and has never backed down in the face of hardship. He further alleged that Akhtar Mengal was using women as shields to support terrorists. He claimed that PPP leaders had made sacrifices for the survival of the country and the stability of democracy, while accusing Mengal of engaging in cowardly political tactics.
He also accused Akhtar Mengal of receiving a bribe of 15 billion rupees from Nawaz Sharif and now pretending to advocate for the rights of the people. According to Umarani, Mengal’s recent actions stemmed from his fear of being arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance. He revealed that when intelligence about a planned bombing at Shahwani Stadium surfaced, BNP leaders were banned from entering the stadium.
Ali Madad Jatak also harshly criticized Akhtar Mengal, calling him a “B-team” of terrorists. Jatak pointed out that Mengal had never raised his voice for women prisoners in jail but continued to push a specific political agenda. He claimed that Mengal was uncomfortable with the development work being carried out by the Chief Minister of Balochistan. Jatak emphasized that PPP ministers have always adhered to transparent politics and have never been caught in corruption scandals.
Provincial Minister Bakht Mohammad Kakr, too, took a direct shot at Akhtar Mengal, accusing him of supporting terrorists like Maah Rang. He accused Mengal of showing disregard for women’s rights and democratic principles. Kakr criticized Mengal for his reluctance to surrender to authorities and remained silent on the arrest of his ally, Aziz Talpur, calling it a clear example of his double standards. He reiterated that PPP had always stood against terrorism, which he claimed Mengal could not tolerate.
Kakr also told Akhtar Mengal to stop blackmailing the government as it would not succumb to any pressure. Meanwhile, Sadiq Umarani remarked that the visit of the Chief Minister to the President of Pakistan was being unnecessarily politicized and that Mengal had failed to condemn the murder of a laborer, further highlighting his indifference to the people’s suffering.