BNP-M rules out compromise on its six-point agenda

Published October 16, 2018
BNP President Sardar Akhtar Mengal. ─ File photo
BNP President Sardar Akhtar Mengal. ─ File photo

KHUZDAR: Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) president Sardar Akhtar Mengal has said that his conscience will not be satisfied if the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government does not implement his party’s six-point agenda.

Speaking at a public meeting in Khuzdar, he said that his six points were the voice of the Baloch people and that his party would not compromise on any of them. He said he would fulfil the responsibility of representing the Baloch people and continue the struggle for their rights.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leaders Maulana Qamaruddin and Senator Maulana Faiz Muhammad also spoke at the event. Other speakers included MPA-elect Muhammad Akbar Mengal, Baloch Students Organisation chairman Nazir Baloch and MPAs Akhtar Hussain Langove, Mir Hamal Kalmati, Ahmed Nawaz Baloch and Advocate Sajid Tareen.

Mr Mengal said that both the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and the BNP-M had faced ‘non-political’ forces in the by-election. But despite the pressure, the people in his constituency rejected these actors and chose to support the joint candidate of both parties.

“The six points include the recovery of missing persons and making serious efforts to end unemployment in the province,” Mr Mengal said, adding he understood the pain of missing persons’ families. “My brother, Asad Mengal, went missing 40 years ago. Now, we believe he is not alive.”

Mr Mengal also spoke about the Afghan refugee issue and said that the six-point agreement included a demand for the return of Afghans back to their country. “If the government wanted to issue them national identity cards then it should declare Pakistan as an international orphan house.” He said that no country could allow refugees to stay indefinitely.

Commenting on development projects in Gwadar, he said the port city had not really made any progress. It’s all on papers he argued. The people, he said, are still suffering. “Instead of giving them jobs and authority over their own resources, the government is displacing the real owners of Gwadar.” He said the BNP would continue its struggle for the rights of Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
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...