QUETTA: The senior vice president of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Abdul Wali Khan Kakar, said on Tuesday that his party believed in peaceful and democratic struggle for the rights of the people of Balochistan, but some undemocratic forces were creating hurdles and running a baseless propaganda campaign against the party.

Speaking at a press conference here, he said the BNP-M would continue its struggle in a peaceful and democratic manner, within the framework of the country’s constitution.

He was accompanied by party’s central information secretary Advocate Agha Hasan Baloch, Ghulam Nabi Marri, Advocate Sajid Tareen, Bahadur Khan Mengal and other party leaders.

He alleged that the recently held by-election in the National Assembly constituency NA-260 (Quetta-cum-Chagai) was rigged, saying that once again the mandate of people was stolen.

He said obstacles were being created for the BNP-M so that it could not take part in the 2018 general elections. “The BNP-M will take part in the democratic exercise and if a fair and transparent election is held in 2018, it will emerge as a single largest party in Balochistan,” he added.

Mr Kakar said that some hidden forces were not allowing his party to hold public meetings and rallies which was its democratic right as a political party. These forces were taking action against BNP-M leaders and workers, he said, adding that many party workers were missing.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2017