Seven opposition parties on Thursday staged protests outside press clubs across Balochistan against the 2 September suicide bombing near Quetta’s Shahwani Stadium, which targeted a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) public meeting.
Demonstrations were held in Quetta, Turbat, Gwadar, Loralai, Nushki and other cities, with supporters carrying party flags and banners denouncing the authorities.
The protests were organised by BNP-M, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Awami National Party (ANP), Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM).
At least 15 people were killed in the suicide attack, which targeted a rally marking the fourth death anniversary of Sardar Ataullah Mengal, a veteran Baloch nationalist leader and founder of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M).
Opposition leaders accused those behind the attack of seeking to eliminate Balochistan’s “genuine political leadership.”
PkMAP Secretary General Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal condemned the attack, saying such incidents threatened all political parties. “These assaults cannot deter the real leadership from continuing the struggle for people’s rights,” he said, vowing that PkMAP would continue its democratic struggle without fear.
BNP-M Vice President Sajid Tareen said the attack targeted party workers who had gathered peacefully, adding that the wheel-jam and shutter-down strike earlier this week showed the people “reject the oppressive attitude of the rulers.”
ANP’s Asghar Khan Achakzai accused authorities of systematically depriving Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of their natural resources. He also demanded the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detained women activists.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Zahid Akhtar recalled the opposition alliance’s earlier long march, saying “the federal government had trembled at our protest,” and pledged continued support for joint opposition decisions.