The Balochistan government on Sunday warned Sardar Akhtar Mengal, chief of his faction of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), that he would be arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) if his party’s march against the jailing of Baloch activists entered Quetta.
The BNP-M had begun a “long march” from Wadh to Quetta on March 28 to protest the arrests of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, as well as a crackdown on their sit-in in Quetta. Sammi was released on Tuesday.
The BNP-M’s sit-in at the Lakpass area of Mastung entered its 10th day today. The party is set on heading to Quetta as a deadlock persisted over its demands — including Mahrang’s release — while the Balochistan government warned to limit the march to Quetta’s Sariab Road.
However, that offer seemed to be no longer on the table as Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind asserted today that Mengal would be arrested if he “moves towards Quetta”.
Responding to a post on X by Mengal, who claimed his party was “completely encircled by security forces” at Lakpass, Rind said the BNP-M president had been alerted at 6am about the orders to arrest him under the MPO.
MPO orders are usually issued to maintain public order and cite a “threat to the public safety” along with a possible “breach of peace and tranquility”.
Rind wrote: “Mengal refused to give his arrest. The administration and the police have clearly told him that if he moves towards Quetta, he will be arrested and this is why law enforcement agencies are present there.
“BNP’s calls to block national highways right now is adding to the difficulties faced by the citizens. The administrations of all districts have been instructed that national highways will not be shut.”
The government spokesperson, without specifying the other party, quipped: “There is one thing common in the beneficiary groups of 2018 [elections]: crafting a narrative, which is why both are doing the same thing.”
The provincial government has blocked roads by placing containers around the protest site at Lakpass. It has also suspended internet services in Quetta, Mastung, Kalat and Khuzdar.
Rind had responded directly to Mengal’s post on X at 5:06am, which stated: “We are currently stationed at Lakpass, completely encircled by security forces. A major operation against us is imminent.
“I call upon all districts to immediately shut down all national highways in protest. Let the world witness this injustice. We remain peaceful, but resolute.
“Whatever unfolds today — the consequences, the blood, the fallout — will rest solely on the shoulders of the government and the local administration,” Mengal added.
