Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP) chief, Sardar Mengal had earlier said that his party would not become part of the federal cabinet in the aftermath of untoward incidents in Balochistan’s Chaghi district. While, on Monday BNP lawmakers staged a walk-out from the national assembly session.
BNP lawmakers boycotted the National Assembly proceedings over the firing by the security forces on peaceful protesters in Chaghi district, saying it would be difficult for the party to be a part of the government if military operations continue in Balochistan.
Agha Hassan Baloch of the BNP-M said in the assembly session that “on April 16, a heart-wrenching incident happened at Chagai when the security forces opened fire on unarmed and oppressed Baloch people in which six persons were martyred and many others injured. As usual, the past attitude has not been abandoned. Today (Monday) again, the peaceful innocent Baloch protesters were fired upon resulting in more killings.”
Agha Hassan regretted that the Baloch people had been the victim of extrajudicial killings since 1947 and this was happening even today. “The cheapest thing available in the country right now is the blood of the Baloch people,” he added.
The issue of the ongoing operations and missing persons in Balochistan had also been raised by BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal during his speech in the assembly on Saturday. Mengal had even asked the prime minister to resolve the issue of missing persons before Eidul Fitr, which is just two weeks away.
As per reports, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari called on Akhtar Mengal on Tuesday at his residence. The two leaders discussed unfolding political events in the country. They also discussed untoward incidents in Balochistan’s Chaghi district.