Sardar Akhtar Mengal, head of the National Party of Baluchistan (BNP-M), said Friday that he had arrived in Kalat as part of the “peaceful” march of his party to Quetta against the alleged harassment faced by women and children Baloch in recent days.
The BNP-M had announced a long march from Wadh to Quetta today to protest against the arrests of the committee and activists of the Balochjehti (Byc) committee, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen, as well as the police offensive against his sitting in Quetta.
The BNP chief said in a publication on X that he and his party arrived in Kalat despite multiple obstacles “placed by those who fear a peaceful protest.” He added that containers had been placed and that mobile services were suspended in the area.
“Mobile networks remain completely closed. The containers have been placed at several points along the route, especially in Bhagbana and Totak, in an attempt to interrupt our movement,” Mengal wrote.
“The credible information confirms that Quetta is under a complete block, with both sides of containers blocked,” he claimed, urging the “brave people of Baluchistan” to meet in Lakpass from both directions.
“For all those who participate in this long march: I ask you to remain Pacific, no matter how much they try to cause us. Our strength lies in our discipline, our unity and our cause,” Mengal wrote.
The BNP-M leader said previously in X that the long peaceful march had successfully crossed the first obstacle despite the blockades by the government along the way.
“The personnel of the application of the law in civil tried to provoke our people, but our commitment to a peaceful march remains unwavering,” said Mengal, adding that all Khuzdhar to Quetta’s service stations were sealed in an attempt to deny “access to basic needs.”
He said the long march would continue “even if we have to walk every step of the road.”
“These cowardly movements only strengthen our resolution. The voice of the Baloch nation will be heard,” he added.
In a previous publication, he wrote that the obstacles not only endangered the lives of peaceful protesters, but also reflected the pure despair and cowardice of those who tried to silence our movement.
“The Baloch nation will join and show the world what it means when our women and children are harassed. We will not be silenced,” he said.
According to an official statement issued by the party, the participants of the long march were expected to reach Quetta for tonight.
In an official statement from the provincial government, spokesman Shahid Rind said that Internet services were suspended due to “security threats.”
The government or telecommunications companies did not issue an explanatory statement for the suspension.
