Shutter-down strikes and protests were observed in various parts of Balochistan by the Balochistan National Party (BNP) Mengal in response to the arrests and FIRs filed against party leaders, including Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, MPA Jahanzaib Mengal, Akhtar Hussain Langove, Shafi Mengal, and other party workers.
Following the call by the party, shutter-down strikes were observed in areas such as Wadh, Zehri, Naal, and Darakhallah, where all major and minor business centers remained closed. The strikes were in protest against the cases filed against BNP-Mengal leaders in Islamabad and the recent arrests.
Related: BNP Protests Across Balochistan Demand End to Actions Against Party Leaders
The National Party, through an official statement, expressed its support for the BNP-Mengal’s call for protests across Balochistan. The BNP-Mengal had earlier organized rallies in various cities to protest the arrests, and the party has now escalated its demonstrations to include a full-scale strike across Balochistan.
Sardar Akhtar Mengal, BNP-Mengal chief, expressed his gratitude to all party workers and traders’ associations who played a crucial role in making the strike successful. He thanked them for their unwavering support in raising their voices against the unjust actions taken against the party leadership.
It is important to note that Akhtar Hussain Langove, along with Akhtar Mengal’s personal secretary, was arrested by Islamabad police a few days ago and remains in police custody. The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has extended their physical remand for two more days, with police alleging that the BNP-Mengal leaders were involved in violent incidents and displaying weapons during a Senate session.