BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal returns Rs7.89m to NA Secretariat after resigning as MNA

ISLAMABAD: In a rare display of political integrity, Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Thursday returned more than Rs7.8 million in salaries and allowances that had been credited to his account after he resigned as an MNA to the National Assembly Secretariat

The former lawmaker on Thursday submitted a cheque and a letter to the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) of the National Assembly Secretariat, saying that he was returning all salaries and allowances credited to his parliamentary account after his resignation back to the national treasury.

Akhtar Mengal had resigned from his National Assembly seat representing NA-256 (Khuzdar) on September 3, 2024.

He had resigned in protest against what he described as the ongoing marginalisation of Balochistan and the persistent disregard shown by Parliament toward the grievances of its people.

Although he walked away from his legislative duties in late 2024, the National Assembly speaker formally accepted his resignation on February 11, 2026, making it retroactively effective from the date of submission.

During the intervening period between his resignation submission and its formal approval (September 3, 2024, to February 11, 2026), the state continued to automatically deposit salaries, perks, and monthly allowances into his official parliamentary bank.

In his letter, Mengal clarified that he had completely detached himself from these state funds from the day he stepped down.

“For the record, I have not withdrawn any funds from the salaries or allowances credited to my account since the submission of my resignation in September 2024,” Mengal stated in his letter.

“All such amounts remain untouched in the designated parliamentary bank account.”

To ensure the funds were returned properly, Mengal attached a cheque (bearing No 24 28698586) worth Rs7,892,725, authorising the National Assembly Secretariat to deduct and refund the total accrued amount.

 The letter was officially received and signed by the National Assembly Secretariat DDO on July 9.

The veteran Baloch leader emphasised that his move was driven entirely by personal ethics. “I remain committed to upholding the principles of accountability and integrity in public service,” he wrote, setting a unique precedent in the country’s parliamentary history.