Quetta: An All Parties Conference (APC), organized by the Balochistan National Party (BNP), convened near Quetta on the Quetta-Karachi highway at Lakpass to address ongoing political grievances in the province. The APC categorically rejected the decisions taken in the recent National Security Committee (NSC) meeting regarding Balochistan, particularly criticizing the adoption of a "hard state" policy.
The APC demanded the immediate release of detained leaders and activists from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Bebo Baloch, Gul Zadi Baloch, Bibarg Baloch, and Sibtullah, labeling their arrests as unlawful.
The event, held amid a sit-in ongoing since March 28, was attended by representatives from various political parties, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, National Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Awami National Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, National Democratic Movement, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, BNP-Awami, Hazara Democratic Party, and the Jamhoori Watan Party. Tribal elders and trade union leaders also participated.
Prominent leaders such as Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai, Asghar Khan Achakzai, Mir Israrullah Zehri, Dawood Shah Kakar, and Abdul Mateen Akhundzada addressed the gathering.
Following the conference, a joint declaration titled the "Lakpass Declaration" was issued, strongly condemning what was termed the transformation of Balochistan's constitutional status into a "colony" and denouncing intelligence agencies’ interference in political matters.
The declaration expressed concern over what it called an intentional attempt to expose political leaders like Sardar Akhtar Mengal to danger by halting their peaceful march at a vulnerable location. It reaffirmed the participants' support for a constitutional and nonviolent resolution to the Balochistan conflict, rejecting state aggression as harmful to national unity.
The APC also passed several resolutions, condemning the harassment and arrest of BNP activists during the long march and sit-in, including the alleged killing of Inayatullah Lehri by security forces in Wadh and injuries to other demonstrators. It called for accountability of the involved personnel.
In addition, the conference demanded the release of political detainees across the country, including PTI's Imran Khan, Ali Wazir, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, and activists linked to Sindh’s Canal Movement.
A separate resolution demanded the cancellation of what were termed exploitative agreements and legislations such as the Mines and Minerals Act 2025, the termination of the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) agreement, and recognition of Balochistan’s 50% stake in the Reko Diq mining project.
Full support was expressed for the ongoing protest in Chaman, with a call for the restoration of cross-border trade routes from Chaman to Gwadar, Taftan to Mand, and Mashkhel to Panjgur.
