QUETTA: Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal said that governments in the past took billions of dollars from the US in the name of jihad in Afghanistan, and now Pakistan was suffering the consequences of those actions.
While speaking to the media on Saturday, he said the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Waziristan, was a direct result of past policies.
He accused the state of using people for its objectives and then abandoning them, leading to a situation where former allies turned foes and fought against Pakistan’s military.
Regarding the situation in Balochistan, the BNP-M leader asserted that the government has intensified actions and in response, militants have escalated their operations in Balochistan.
He accused “powerful forces” of abducting Baloch youth, while Baloch separatists continued to carry out their attacks.
Mr Mengal condemned the alleged enforced disappearances and killings of Baloch youth.
He expressed confidence in Balochistan’s future, stating that if the youth persist in their struggle, their sacrifices will not be in vain. He stated that his party has always faced oppression, and persecution under the current government won’t deter them.
He reminded that hundreds of BNP workers have been martyred, and despite numerous FIRs against them, the party has never wavered in its commitment.
He vowed that BNP members would sacrifice their lives for the prosperity of the Baloch people.
Mr Mengal dismissed the current provincial government as a mere puppet, asserting that it offers no benefit to the Baloch people and will only bring more suffering as long as it remains in power.
Other BNP-M leaders, including Mir Shafi Mengal, Ayub Alizai, Saeed Ahmed Musiani, Naseebullah Mengal and Mir Feroz Khan Mengal, were also present on the occasion.
Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2025
