Mehr Shanz Baloch
Throughout the history of politics in Pakistan, and specifically in Balochistan, military control has exerted a significant influence. However, the political parties of Baloch and Pashtuns have traditionally upheld the morals of politics, including values, principles, norms, and morality. Regrettably, in recent decades, there has been a noticeable departure from political traditions, with a deviation from adhering to ideologies and addressing national issues. This article examines a series of political transactions that raise concerns about the existence of essential political morality.
Current Status
The BNP (Balochistan National Party) Mengal currently holds not only two ministries in the federal government but also the governorship in Balochistan, effectively governing the province. However, they have been critical of the government, attributing the lack of action and misgovernance to them. Furthermore, they have appointed bureaucrats and officers of their own choice, yet their actual influence on matters in Balochistan remains limited.
A Dubious Offering
Numerous instances have surfaced where Baloch leaders and parties have engaged in practices contradicting their political and election manifestos. For example, the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) claimed to include the issue of missing persons as part of their six-point demand to the government for resolving the Balochistan conundrum. However, a senior member of their central executive committee, Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani, admitted in an interview to a local news channel that his party had failed to play a crucial role in resolving this issue. Additionally, the committee established by the federal government, headed by BNP President Sardar Akhtar Mengal, to investigate enforced disappearances and ascertain the true number of missing persons, yielded no results.
Moreover, arrest of Mahal Baloch by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on suspicion of being a suicide bomber, prompted BNP Mengal to stage a sit-in, it was abruptly called off upon the announcement of Wali Khan Kakar, a BNP candidate, as the governor of the province.
Political Machinations
Furthermore, Sana Baloch, in a statement during a seminar, hailed the ousting of Jam Kamal as a political cleverness, referring to it as a strategic maneuver. Surprisingly, BNP Mengal’s chief denied any involvement in the installation of Qudoos Bizenjo as Chief Minister of Balochistan. Additionally, this so-called nationalist party has opposed the Rekodiq deal, while the Chief Minister claims that it was approved by the opposition parties, including BNP Mengal.
A Confounding Stance
In recent days, Balochistan’s politics has been a subject of discussion, particularly due to the agitations of BNP cadres. Party workers have expressed discontent with the recent developments in Wadh, the residence of the BNP Chief, where a confrontation between Shafeeq Mengal, a renowned handler of death squads in Balochistan, and the Mengal tribe, led by Chief Sardar Asad Mengal, has unfolded. The main claim of the party is that the army is attempting to obstruct Baloch “natural” leadership from ascending to power and advocating for Baloch issues in parliament. However, paradoxically, the same party has been seen aligning with Mir Uthman, a notorious drug lord and another handler of death squads in Turbat. Additionally, during the local body elections, BNP Mengal announced that the brother of Rashid Phatan, another leader of a death squad, had joined their party. When criticized by the masses, both on social media and otherwise, BNP Mengal issued a confusing statement, claiming it to be a mere coalition vote and denying his membership in the party.
Conclusion
Although the BNP Mengal attempts to gain support and assert influence in Balochistan’s politics, especially in relation to the issue of missing persons, it has failed to adhere to the moral values of politics. Regrettably, the party has engaged in illicit practices by appeasing unwarranted powers, particularly the Pakistani army, by providing them with necessary assistance whenever deemed necessary. This represents a democratic deception against the people they claim to represent, as they exploit populist slogans regarding Baloch national questions while simultaneously aligning with death squads. This conduct raises doubts about their loyalty to the Baloch nation, and if such actions persist, it is likely that people will question their allegiance.