BNP-M wraps up Mastung sit-in, says movement not over yet

MASTUNG: The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M)has announced an end to its 20-day sit-in at Lakpass, Mastung, with plans to launch a province-wide protest campaign against the arrests of Baloch activists.

The sit-in had been organised in protest against the arrest of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other female members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). Despite multiple attempts by the Balochistan government to negotiate, the party had continued its protest until now.

Addressing at a press conference in Mastung, BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal said the party believes in peaceful struggle and while the sit-in is ending, the movement itself is not. “From today, we are beginning our mass contact campaign.”

Mengal announced that the BNP would now hold a series of protest rallies and public gatherings. In the first phase, events will be held in Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Surab. The second phase will cover Turbat, Gwadar, and other parts of Makran, while the third phase will include Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Dera Murad Jamali, and surrounding regions.

Although the party has not disclosed the date for its first rally in Mastung, Mengal said a rally would be held in Kalat on April 20.

Referring to the arrest of Baloch activist Dr Mahrang Baloch, Mengal described it as “unconstitutional” and criticised the state for “obstructing” their peaceful long march. “Every moment in Lakpass was filled with danger,” he said, lamenting that others are allowed to protest, “but not us.”

He also accused the provincial government’s negotiation team of admitting their own helplessness during talks with BNP-M representatives.

Earlier in the day, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti announced that funds have been allocated for the second phase of the Kachhi Canal project, which has been a 25-year old demand by the people of Balochistan.

The federal government revealed a comprehensive development package for the province on Wednesday, including long-awaited infrastructure projects and economic relief measures, dubbed as a “transformative step” for the province.

“This will irrigate 800,000 acres of barren land, revolutionising agriculture in the region,” said CM Bugti.