QUETTA: The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) has held the state responsible for tribal feuds in Balochistan, following the recent killing of their party leader Amanuallah Zarakzai.

Speaking at a crowded press conference at the Quetta Press Club, senior vice president of the BNP-M Abdul Wali Kakar termed the killing of Amanullah Zarakzai, his grandson and two bodyguards in central Balochistan an open challenge to state writ.

“On October 25, 2009, the son of leader Amanullah Zarakzai named Riaz Ahmad Zarakzai was killed in broad daylight in the Norgam bazaar of Zehri, but the state did not bring the perpetrators to book despite the fact that the First Information Report (FIR) was filed,” he said.

“Had Riaz Zarakzai’s killers been brought to justice, the recent incident would not have taken place,” said Mr Kakar while addressing the reporters. BNP-M leaders Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani and Ghulam Nabi Marri, and provincial minister Zeenat Shahwani were also present at the press conference along with party workers.

Talking about the recent attack on his party leader, Mr Kakar regretted that women and children were also in the convoy of Mr Zarakzai. “In our tribal society, in the presence of women and children, enemies are not attacked,” he added. “But unfortunately, Amanullah was killed when he was travelling to Zehri town with women and children.”

“For the past 15 years, these kind of incidents are frequently taking place in the province due to weakness of the state,” he said, adding that the state had failed to provide justice.

The BNP-M leader said that his party would peacefully record its protest across the province between August 20 and 29. “Our party will observe black day for three days and mourn for 10 days,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2019