In response to a central call by the Balochistan National Party (BNP), protests were held across various regions of Balochistan on Sunday against legal actions and arrests targeting the party’s leaders, including Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal and Akhtar Hussain Lango. Demonstrators in Quetta, Khuzdar, Kalat, Turbat, Nasirabad, Panjgur, and other areas voiced their opposition to what they called unjustified cases against their leadership.
The BNP called for these protests after cases were filed in Islamabad against party leaders, and Akhtar Hussain Lango and Shafi Mengal were arrested. These actions followed BNP’s decision to oppose the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The BNP leadership condemned the filing of FIRs and the arrests, calling them acts of political retaliation for the party’s stance against the amendment.
BNP leaders stated that the party will not be intimidated by fabricated charges. They emphasized their long-standing struggle for Baloch rights, control over resources, and against the decades-long “oppression” of the Baloch people. The party vowed to continue resisting unconstitutional actions and expressed their resolve to stand firm against such repressive measures.
Earlier this month, the BNP boycotted voting on the 26th Constitutional Amendment presented by the federal government. Despite the boycott, two BNP senators, Naseema Ehsan and Qasim Ronjho, later voted in favor of the amendment. Following the vote, BNP accused the government and security forces of pressuring their senators to vote in favor of the amendment. Qasim Ronjho was reportedly forced to hold a press conference under duress, after which cases were filed against Akhtar Mengal and other party leaders in Islamabad.
The BNP has launched a protest campaign against these actions, with Sunday’s demonstrations marking the start of a broader movement to challenge the cases filed against their leadership. The party reiterated that it will not be cowed by such tactics and will continue its fight for justice and the rights of the Baloch people.