Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) leader Akhtar Mengal issued a stern warning on Wednesday, threatening to lead a long march toward Quetta.
The BNP’s sit-in protest at Lakpas has entered its fifth consecutive day. Mengal’s announcement comes after negotiations with the provincial government stalled and produced no progress. Protesters, including leaders from BNP-M, are still barred from entering Quetta, which is increasing regional tensions.
The sit-in, spearheaded by Mengal and fellow party leaders, began last month with a march from Wadh to Quetta. Its primary goal? To demand the immediate release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and activists, including prominent figure Dr Mahrang Baloch. The protest underscores growing unrest over alleged human rights violations in Balochistan.
یہ اتنے بھی بے وارث نہیں pic.twitter.com/5BMnZs1rOU
— Akhtar Mengal (@sakhtarmengal) April 2, 2025Speaking to participants at the sit-in on Wednesday, Mengal criticized the provincial government’s response. He revealed that a “powerless” delegation met with protesters the previous night, offering no tangible solutions. “If the detained women aren’t freed by tomorrow, we’ll remove the containers blocking the road,” Mengal declared. He added that women and children would join the march to Quetta if their demands remained unmet.
Mengal also highlighted a disparity in government responses. He noted that the Sindh government recently released BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch, while the Balochistan administration appears unresponsive. “The powerless Balochistan government is looking the other way,” he remarked.
Recent Developments in the Protest
On Tuesday, the Sindh government lifted a detention order against Sammi Deen Baloch under Section 3 of the Sindh Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO). The decision took effect immediately following her arrest during a Karachi protest. In Balochistan, Sammi had been demonstrating against the detention of BYC leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch.
Sami Deen Baloch has been released, while other leaders of the BYC are still in custody. The long march will continue until Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Shah Jee Sabghatullah, Beebarg Baloch, and other BYC activists are freed.
The Balochistan National Party will announce the next phase… https://t.co/BtHX6a7lK8
— Balochistan National Party (@MediaCellBNP_) April 2, 2025Mahrang herself was arrested earlier, alongside 16 other activists, at a Quetta protest camp. The arrests came just a day after BYC accused police of fatally beating three protesters during an anti-riot operation. Authorities, however, claim that Sammi, Abdul Wahab Baloch, Raza Ali, and others were detained for inciting road blockades and sit-ins, actions they say threatened public order.
This is the current situation at Lakpass. I honestly can’t decide whether to laugh or cry at their sheer stupidity. pic.twitter.com/uX4rXeMwug
— Akhtar Mengal (@sakhtarmengal) April 2, 2025Mengal and BNP-M workers are no strangers to adversity. On March 29, they survived a suicide attack targeting their rally in Mastung. Despite such challenges, the party remains steadfast in its demands for justice and accountability.
