BNP-M Calls Off Mastung Sit-in, Announces Rallies

QUETTA: The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) declared an end to their 20-day sit-in protest in Mastung on Wednesday. The protest was against the arrests of Baloch rights advocates and actions by the police.

Akhtar Mengal, a leader within BNP-M, stated that the party would discontinue its demonstration at Lak Pass to mitigate inconvenience to the public. Instead, they will organize rallies across different districts.

He mentioned that the central cabinet of the party is scheduled to convene in Quetta on April 18 to determine their next steps.

The party’s protest, lasting nearly three weeks, demanded the freedom of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the Chief Organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, alongside other female activists who were detained. This led to continuous road blockages.

During a crackdown on demonstrators protesting the arrest of movement leaders, including Dr. Mahrang in Karachi, Sindh police apprehended BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch.

Previously, Mahrang, along with 16 other activists from their protest site in Quetta, was taken into custody a day after they accused the police of fatally beating three protesters during an anti-riot operation.

Although Sammi was later freed, BNP-M’s protest persisted.

Major highways linking Quetta to Karachi and Taftan remained shut down, resulting in significant economic losses, vital shortages of essential items, and escalating discontent among both the public and the business sector.

Muhammad Ayub Maryani, the President of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), reported that the blockade was causing daily financial setbacks amounting to millions of rupees. He noted that over 1,200 trucks and containers, which included 847 tankers transporting LPG and various petroleum products from Iran, were stranded at the Pak-Iran border.

On Monday, the All Parties Conference (APC), convened by the BNP, adopted nine resolutions in a joint statement. These resolutions advocated for the enforcement of constitutional protections related to the 1948 Instrument of Accession of Balochistan to Pakistan and called for a national dialogue to address enduring issues.