Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) leader Akhtar Mengal was offloaded from a Dubai-bound flight at Quetta airport on July 20, 2025, due to his name appearing on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confirmed the incident Mengal shared on X (formerly Twitter), including a screenshot of immigration data that directed authorities to prevent his departure.
Mengal, a veteran politician and current National Assembly member, stated Immigration staff informed him of the restriction “with the approval of the competent authority.” His resignation from the NA in September 2024, over the security situation in Balochistan, remains unaccepted.
I was traveling to Dubai from Quetta was off loaded Immigration staff informed that my name has been put in provisional national identification list (PNIL)
— Akhtar Mengal (@sakhtarmengal) July 20, 2025Former federal minister Agha Hasan Baloch and Ghulam Nabi Mari condemned the action as “unlawful and unconstitutional,” noting Mengal’s parliamentary status.
This event follows Mengal’s 20-day sit-in at Mastung’s Lak Pass earlier in 2025 against arrests of Baloch rights activists and police actions. In March 2025, BNP-M led a long march from Wadh to Quetta, protesting the detentions of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, and demanding their release.
The PNIL restricts travel for individuals under investigation or facing charges. Mengal’s case highlights ongoing tensions in Balochistan regarding rights and security.
