Sardar Akhtar Mengal Calls for Political Solution to Balochistan Crisis, Criticizes Government’s Approach

Quetta:The leader of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) and former Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, has stated that the solution to the Balochistan issue lies in political dialogue, not military action. He emphasized that nationalist parties would be part of an all-parties alliance, as their voices were not being heard in the assemblies. As a result, he had resigned from his assembly membership.

In an interview with a private TV channel, Mengal criticized the state’s approach towards Balochistan and called for a shift in policy. “The state must change its oppressive and violent behavior,” he said. “Until the rulers change their attitude and start taking meaningful steps towards improving the situation, no one will listen to them. Politicians are sitting on their thrones, burying their goals and manifestos, while the looting of our resources continues.”

Mengal also spoke about the six points that his party had presented to the judiciary, which have not been implemented. He pointed out that these points were in line with Pakistan’s constitution and laws and were not in violation of the country’s legal framework. “If there is any wrongdoing regarding missing persons, they should be brought before the courts and made public,” he added.

He expressed frustration with the lack of progress on this issue, stating that their voices were being suppressed and they were being kept out of the assemblies. “This country has been held hostage for 73 years,” he said. “If the judiciary and the government are held hostage, how can we expect the issue of missing persons to be resolved? The situation is deteriorating, and the government has not changed its attitude.”

Mengal further highlighted the insecurity in Balochistan, stating that no road, district, or assembly member is safe in the province. He mentioned that even assembly members are unable to travel from their homes to the secretariat due to security concerns. “In such circumstances, what steps is the government taking to improve the situation?” he questioned, stressing the need for a change in the government’s approach to address the worsening situation in Balochistan.