akhtar-mengal-670
Balochistan National Party leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal. -File Photo

QUETTA: Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the president of his own faction of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-M), has appealed to election observers of the European Union (EU) to review their decision of not visiting Balochistan during their assignment in Pakistan.

Talking to journalists here on Tuesday, Mr Mengal said the EU observers had been visiting countries in Africa to observe electoral activities. Some of these countries were more dangerous than Balochistan.

He said the EU being an advocate of fundamental rights should reconsider its decision and supervise polls in the province because the presence of international observers would ensure transparency in the process.

He said in reply to a question that his party believed in a democratic struggle and could neither go to the mountains nor ask the militants hiding there to join them. Everyone had a right to opt their own means of struggle.

Rebutting the claim that a deal was behind his return to the country, he said the BNP-M did not believe in entering into any arrangements to achieve political rights.

He said the federal government did not take into confidence the Baloch leadership while handing over the operations of the Gwadar seaport to China and the gas pipeline project between Pakistan and Iran.

“We not only condemn them but reject both agreements as these are against the interest of Baloch people,” he asserted.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.