Akhtar Mengal Resigns
Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the chief of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, has sent his resignation on the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan to the National Assembly. Mengal, who was elected from the Khuzdar NA-256 during the general elections in February 2024, has sent a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
Mengal expressed deep concern over the escalating security situation and persistent unrest in Balochistan, with special reference to the violence in recent attacks and increased protests against enforced disappearances. He further said, “The province had always been kept on the sidelines by the Centre, which resulted in the destitution of an effective presentation of its people.”.
He stated in the letter of resignation, “Continuous marginalization of Balochistan by this House has left us with no other option but to reconsider our role here. It has become crystal clear that any effort to represent the concerns of our people is looked upon with hostility, and those who raise their voice are often silenced or labeled as traitors.”
Mengal said that he knew it would sadden many of his supporters, but staying in the Assembly for him would serve no purpose for the people of Balochistan whom he represents. He also hoped someday Balochistan would find protection and prosperity out of the dismal situation they faced.
Talking to the press outside Parliament, Mengal said, “I apologize to my voters, but as the judiciary failed to dispense justice, innocent people are being murdered every other day without any discrimination of ethnicity.” He also lambasted politicians for turning politics into a business. He showed his anger with the current political situation.
He further revealed that in the meeting at the Prime Minister House on July 23, he told them, “If I were no more needed, I would quit politics.” He pessimistically averred, “It would be better to open a shop than do such politics.”.
Mengal also paid tribute to his late father, BNP founder Sardar Attaullah Mengal, by resigning on the third anniversary of his father’s passing. He reiterated that the deteriorating situation in Balochistan left him no choice but to step down.
Although Mengal abstained from voting in the prime ministerial election earlier this year, he had supported PTI-backed Mahmood Khan Achakzai in the March presidential polls. In April, he presided over a meeting of six opposition parties that gave birth to the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan movement.
Akhtar Mengal’s resignation is considered the most important political development, indicating a deepening crisis in Balochistan and frustration among its leadership over the way the federal government is dealing with the issues in the province.
To Read More: Click Here