QUETTA: Sardar Akhtar Mengal, head of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), stated on Saturday that there has been no progress regarding the release of women arrested from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. As a result, protestors will march from Lakpass to Quetta on Sunday, as previously announced.
Speaking to the media, Mengal said that negotiations with the government had failed to yield any positive outcomes concerning the release of the detained women and other key demands. He added that the protest will remain peaceful, but if any harm occurs due to government actions, the responsibility will lie solely with the authorities.
In response, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that Section 144 is in effect in the province and any violation will be dealt with strictly, stating, “the law will take its course.” The provincial government has increased road blockades to prevent the protestors from marching toward Quetta, and once again suspended mobile internet services in parts of the region.
On Saturday, PPP leaders, including Deputy Speaker Ghazala Gola and Education Minister Raheela Durrani, met with Akhtar Mengal at Lakpass. According to Mengal, the women visited him in their personal capacity, not as official government representatives, and discussed possible ways to resolve the issue. Mengal told them that as women, they should urge their government to release the detained female protestors.
He pointed out that the Sindh government had released activist Sammi Baloch under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law, while similar detainees in Balochistan have not been freed. He reiterated BNP’s three key demands, with the primary one being the release of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s women.
Mengal emphasized that if the government fails to meet this demand, then protestors should be allowed to peacefully demonstrate in Quetta. If not, they are prepared to be arrested.
He also mentioned that Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq contacted him and was informed about the demands. Sadiq assured Mengal that he would speak to the Prime Minister and respond, but no reply has been received yet.
Meanwhile, opposition parties continue to show solidarity with the protestors. Asghar Khan Achakzai ,President of Awami National Party Balochistan and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of the Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan and a Member of the National Assembly, also expressed support for their demands. They emphasized the need for upholding the Constitution and parliamentary supremacy to steer the country out of crises.
Mengal further stated that roads from Lakpass to Quetta and from Kalat and other areas toward Lakpass have been blocked with additional barriers.
The mobile internet, briefly restored for 17 hours on Friday night, was suspended again in Quetta and surrounding regions on Saturday.
Spokesperson Shahid Rind, in a press conference, said the government has shown restraint. During talks with BNP, the party presented three demands, including the release of Dr. Mahrang Baloch or other leadership figures. The government responded that the courts are independent and any relief must come through the judicial process.
Regarding the planned march to Quetta, the government offered to allow protestors to assemble at Shahwani Stadium on Saryab Road instead of the Red Zone, but Mengal rejected this offer. Rind stated that BNP insists on holding their sit-in within the Red Zone, which the government cannot allow.
