BNP Chief Akhtar Mengal Announces Legal Challenge Against Mines and Minerals Act

Quetta:Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal has announced his decision to challenge the **Mines and Minerals Act** in court, calling it a violation of the **18th Constitutional Amendment**. Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Mengal strongly criticized the act and declared his party’s intention to seek legal redress.

Mengal stated that the recent sit-in led by BNP was a reflection of **public sentiment and constitutional rights**, rejecting any rumors or assumptions about behind-the-scenes political deals. “Our protest represented the hopes and rights of the people, not any hidden agreement,” he emphasized.

He also denounced remarks suggesting that savings from fuel prices should be donated to Balochistan in the form of charity, calling it **disrespectful and insulting**. “Charity is for orphanages, not for addressing the backwardness of an entire province,” Mengal asserted, adding that the rights and resources of Balochistan should be ensured through proper constitutional and financial mechanisms, not handouts.

**Key Points:**
– Akhtar Mengal to challenge Mines and Minerals Act in court, citing violation of 18th Amendment.
– Rejects claims of political deals behind BNP protest.
– Strong criticism over proposal to support Balochistan through charity funds.
– Emphasis on constitutional rights and provincial autonomy.

Mengal’s statement underscores ongoing tensions between provincial and federal authorities over resource control and governance, especially in resource-rich but underdeveloped Balochistan.