Quetta: Leaders of different political parties condemned on Friday the restrictions imposed by the Government in sitting and protests, qualifying it as an unconstitutional act as demonstrations of staging is everyone’s right.
While BNP-M of Sardar Akhtar Mengal will begin his march in Quetta from Mastung on Sunday, the government is taking administrative measures to handle the situation.
Although both the government and BNP-M had not achieved a great advance in conversations, rear door efforts are underway through political and tribal rooms to calm the situation, according to informed sources.
In a press conference directed jointly by the leaders of several political parties, the Government was reminded that the Constitution allows each citizen to celebrate demonstrations, organize marches and sit on stage for the acceptance of their demands.
However, they regretted, the government instead of accepting the democratic and constitutional right of the people had imposed restrictions on their movement and used force against them.
Those who spoke in the press included the senior vice president of BNP-M Sajid Tareen Advocate, the general secretary of the National Party, Mir Kabir Ahmed Muhammad Shahi, the provincial president of PTI, Dawood Shah Kakar, the Rashid Khan Nasir of ANP and the vice president of the Baluchistan bar of the Baluchistan bar, Rahib Buluchistan.
They condemned the Government for arresting women leaders and workers, including the BYC chief organizer, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, and demanded their immediate release. They accused the authorities of suppressing their democratic rights and promised to continue their struggle peacefully despite the restrictions.
Tareen said that the problem of missing persons and the illegal detention of innocent individuals is not limited to a part, but affects the entire province.
He criticized the authorities for digging trenches on roads to avoid March participants.
Shahi emphasized that Baluchistan’s problems cannot be solved through force.
He urged the Government to show seriousness and immediately release detained women, stating that the matter has become a matter of honor for the people of Baluchistan.
Kakar, while accusing the government of maintaining the double standard warned that the situation could be controlled if injustices continued.
Mr. Nasir demanded that BNP leader, Akhtar Mengal, could enter Quetta and all detainees to be released.
Buledi declared that an unst declared martial law was in force in Baluchistan, where human rights violations and illegality were rampant.
‘Without flexibility’
Although both the Government and the BNP-M leadership showed no change in their position on the arrest of Mahrang Baloch and others, efforts were being made to find a solution to the prevailing situation.
It can be remembered that Akhtar Mengal has announced a long march in Quetta and asked the supporters to arrive at the Mastung LuckPass area on April 5 so that they could start heading towards Quetta the next day. BNP-M is a demanding release of all byc leaders.
The leadership of the National Party, PTI, ANP and other parties has announced to join the march to express solidarity with BNP-M.
For its part, the government is making arrangements to prevent protesters from entering Quetta. Trailers have been presented to be placed at the entrance points, while security has been reinforced with more personnel deployed.
However, Back -Channel’s efforts were also underway through political and tribal rooms to calm the situation.
Prime Minister Sarfraz Bugti had a series of meetings with the leadership of opposition matches during EID holidays, including Dr. Malik Baloch of NP, Senator Jui-F Maulana Abdul Wasey and other leaders.
Last week, Bugti even offered on the floor of the Baluchistan assembly that the Government is ready to establish a committee and deliver its presidency to Dr. Malik or opposition leader, Youunas Aziz Zehri, if they could solve the problem.
“Both parties still have 24 hours. Let’s see what result will come out of the efforts that will be made to deactivate the situation,” said a senior government official Sunrise.
Meanwhile, Senator Jui-F Kamran Murtaza warned that the situation is becoming increasingly critical, claiming that Prime Minister Sarfraz Bugti is quickly losing control.
“If the situation continues, Sarfraz Bugti will lose both his main minister and his political position,” he said.
Posted in Dawn, April 5, 2025
