The sit-in protest in Lakpass marked its fourteenth consecutive day today, with Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal delivering a fiery speech condemning the country’s political leadership and reaffirming his commitment to the struggle for Baloch rights.
Mengal lashed out at critics, saying, “Some dogs are barking from the sidelines, but we are here for our land. Your Bhutto went to jail and died for power — we were imprisoned and martyred for our homeland. You were jailed for corruption and looting the national treasury, while we made sacrifices for principles.”
He took aim at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), mocking its slogan of “Roti, Kapra, Makaan” (bread, clothing, shelter). “Those who promised us roti gave us kafan (shrouds), graves, and bullets. They burned down our homes,” Mengal said.
Criticizing both PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Mengal said these parties failed to show solidarity with the protesters. “Every political party came to express sympathy — except PPP and PML-N. For them, power is more important than principles,” he added.
Mengal clarified that their demand is not power or privilege, but the dignified release of Baloch women allegedly detained without due process. “We are not going to Quetta for personal gain, but to secure the release of our unjustly imprisoned women,” he stated.
He challenged PPP leaders Sadiq Umrani and Ali Madad Jattak — who were among the score of PPP Balochistan leaders who held a fiery press conference in Quetta a day before, criticising Akhtar Mengal of supporting militancy and playing backdoor politics — saying, “Once we leave, try bringing your leaders here and hold a sit-in like this. We’ve been sitting on this deserted ground for 14 days.”
Mengal also took a jab at former President Asif Ali Zardari, claiming, “Zardari is hiding in a hospital, pretending to be sick after making political deals over Sindh, fearing public backlash.”
He praised the courage and awareness of Baloch women, stating, “You can’t even stand up to our men — don’t even think about taking on our women. Baloch women are conscious and patriotic [towards Balochistan].”
Ending his speech, Mengal said, “Don’t just pray for my life — pray that I die with dignity.”