QUETTA: Balochistan National Party (Mengal) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal has said that the people of Balochistan are being treated as “orphans” by the rulers and warned the attitude will further push the province towards danger.

While addressing a rally in Dalbandin town of Chagai district on Tuesday, Mr Mengal said subsequent governments have “looted the resources of Balochistan with both hands”.

He referred to the minerals and natural gas reserves in Saindak and Sui and CPEC projects in Gwadar and said the existence of Baloch and their nation is “in danger”.

Mr Mengal added that even when the British ruled the region for over a hundred years and locals fought against them, their children didn’t go missing.

“But for twenty years now, young men are missing,” he said and lamented that a sister is waiting for her brother to return, and an old mother is waiting for her son.

He added that when people peacefully protest against these injustices, they are told they are violating the Constitution.

“Sometimes they are called traitors, and sometimes they say you are not Muslim.”

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2024