According to a central statement from the Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal condemned the firing by Pakistani security forces on the convoy of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee in Mastung, which resulted in 14 Baloch youths being injured.
The convoy was heading to Gwadar for the Baloch Raaji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) when it was intercepted mid-way by the security forces, who attempted to turn the convoy back. The travelers resisted and the security forces opened live fir on them, critically wounding 14. The forces also flattened the tires of several vehicles to stop the convoy from reaching Gwadar.
Mengal described the incident as ‘unfortunate, shameful, and condemnable.’ He said that Baloch women and youths were on their way to participate in a peaceful rally in Gwadar, and the use of force to stop them and spill innocent blood is intended to strip the Baloch and ‘oppressed’ nations of their right to protest.
Mengal emphasized that Baloch women have long been struggling for the recovery of missing Baloch persons, and there is nothing wrong with them protesting or holding a rally. He stated that the use of force and ‘oppression’ to block the path of the public is unacceptable.
He pointed out that the use of force to silence the voice of the people has always been a practice and that violations of human rights will lead to further crises. Mengal criticized the security forces for being perpetrators of human rights violations.
Mengal also criticized recent statements by government officials, suggesting they indicate an intent to shed blood in Balochistan. He asserted that it is not possible to eliminate nations through oppression and tyranny, and accused those claiming to be proponents of democracy and progressive development of once again making Balochistan bleed.
Meanwhile on Sunday, BNP’s Sajid Tareen held a press conference at Quetta Press Club announcing that BNP will fully participate in BYC’s meetings, sit-ins and protests.