Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal resigned from the National Assembly on Tuesday, citing the worsening situation in Balochistan. He expressed no confidence in the state, the president, and the prime minister.
Mengal announced his resignation during a National Assembly session, stating, “I made this decision after witnessing the situation in Balochistan.” He regretted his inability to help the people of the province, saying they had not been given the right to rule for a year and that he no longer trusts the system.
“The people are not interested in Balochistan’s issues. Every time we raise them, we face a blackout,” Mengal said. “This assembly does not listen to us, so what’s the point of sitting here?”
Speaking to Geo News, Mengal said his decision was guided by his conscience. He questioned where they could go when the roads to Parliament are blocked.
Mengal, who represented NA-256, said the situation in Balochistan forced him to resign. He noted that the province has been marginalized and ignored by the assembly, pushing them to reconsider their roles. In his resignation letter, Mengal lamented the lack of genuine representation for Balochistan in the assembly, leaving voices like his unable to bring meaningful change.
“Our attempts to speak or protest are met with hostility. Our people are either silenced, labeled as traitors, or worse, killed,” Mengal said. “I find it impossible to continue in this capacity, as my presence here no longer serves any purpose for the people I represent.”
Mengal’s decision follows the recent surge in violence in Balochistan. On August 26, a series of attacks claimed over 50 lives, including 14 security personnel, as militants from the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) targeted civilians, police, and security forces.
In one of the deadliest incidents, 23 passengers were killed after being offloaded from buses and trucks in the Rarasham area of Musakhel. In another attack, 10 people, including police and Levies personnel, were martyred in Kalat.
Additionally, 14 security personnel, including 10 soldiers and four law enforcement agency members, were martyred during clearance operations, which also resulted in the neutralization of 21 militants.
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