Mengal calls for peaceful rallies to maintain public engagement across Balochistan.
The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) announced on Wednesday the conclusion of its 20-day sit-in at Lak Pass, Mastung, which was organized in protest against the arrests of Baloch rights activists, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).
Akhtar Mengal, the BNP-M leader, stated that the protest was being called off to minimize disruptions to the public, especially as road blockages were affecting critical trade routes and transport links. He emphasized that the party would now shift its focus to organizing rallies in various districts across Balochistan instead.
The sit-in had started after Dr. Mahrang Baloch and 16 other activists were detained during a protest camp in Quetta. The protesting group had earlier accused law enforcement of fatally beating three of their supporters.
Sammi Deen Baloch, a BYC member, was also arrested during the demonstrations in Karachi but was later released.
The protest had severely impacted commerce, as the Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Taftan highways were blocked, leaving over 1,200 cargo trucks stranded at the Pak-Iran border. The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) reported significant financial losses in the millions due to the blockade.
Earlier this week, BNP-M organized an All Parties Conference in Quetta, passing resolutions that called for the enforcement of constitutional rights based on Balochistan’s 1948 Instrument of Accession and urged a national dialogue to address long-standing grievances.
Although the sit-in has ended, Mengal assured that BNP-M would continue its fight for justice and accountability.