A government delegation visited the Lakpass sit-in site near Quetta on Saturday, attempting to negotiate with Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
The delegation included former Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Deputy Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly Raheela Durrani, and the provincial education minister, among others.
This was the third attempt at dialogue with Mengal since the sit-in began over a week ago. Earlier rounds of talks ended without agreement.
BNP-M has been demanding the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and others arrested during recent protests.
On Thursday, Mengal issued three demands: “Either release all prisoners of the BYC, including women, or then let us march on to Quetta, where we can hold a peaceful sit-in there. Or then arrest us.”
“If our demands are not accepted, we will begin our march to Quetta on 6 April,” Mengal said.
He added that if authorities tried to block their movement, the government would be responsible for any consequences.
Roads Blocked Ahead of April 6 March
Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has blocked several roads in an effort to prevent the planned march from reaching Quetta.
In Kalat district, the road near Manguchar has been closed. Security forces have dug trenches and placed containers at key entry points, including Lakpass Tunnel, Mastung and Kolpur.
According to officials, these steps were taken to maintain public order. However, local sources confirmed that the purpose was to stop more people from joining the Lakpass sit-in.
Highways connecting Quetta to at least 12 districts have been blocked for nine consecutive days.
The political situation in Balochistan remains extremely tense, with analysts warning that a confrontation on 6 April could further escalate unrest in the region.