QUETTA: Chief of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Sardar Akhtar Mengal has said his party has lost 60 workers during the prevailing unrest in the province.

"BNP has faced the brunt of prevailing unrest in Balochistan," Mengal said.

He spoke at length about the situation in Balochistan at the book launching ceremony of well-known journalist Siddique Baloch at Quetta Press Club on Wednesday.

The Baloch leader contradicted the claims made by the present government of an improvement in the law and order situation in the province.

"An increase in the number of graves and orphans is not improvement," the former chief minister said.

He reiterated that the people still were faced with worsening law and order situation.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal claimed that present rulers' intentions were not good when it comes to empowering the Baloch masses with regard to their rich natural and mineral resources.

"Future seems to be bleak for us when I see present and past," he added.

He reiterated that even after more than sixty years, most parts of Balochistan were deprived of natural gas facility.

The BNP chief stated that all governments have used Balochistan for their strategic interests as they have always ignored the sufferings of the people.

Regarding Balochistan Assembly, he said his party would play an effective opposition's role in the assembly to highlight the troubles of Baloch masses.

"Do not shift a heavy burden on my shoulder," he responded to questions of senior journalists asking him to play opposition's role in the province.

"I wish I could carry such a heavy burden," he added.

The author of book Siddique Baloch, senior journalists Anwar Sajidi and others also spoke about the Balochistan situation.