QUETTA: Workers and supporters of Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) took out processions in Quetta and other cities of Balochistan on Sunday to protest against registration of “fake” cases against Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other party leaders and arrest of former MPAs.

The BNP-Mengal workers and leaders gathered in front of Quetta Press Club demanding the withdrawal of cases against the party leaders.

They marched on various roads and streets of Quetta chanting anti-government slogans and then gathered at the Quetta Press Club where the party leaders addressed them.

Speaking to participants of the rally, BNP-Mengal deputy secretary general, Malik Naseer Ahmed Shahwani, condemned the federal government for registering “fake” cases against party leaders and arresting former MPAs Akhtar Hussain Langove, Shafi Muh­ammad Mengal and others.

Protesters demand withdrawal of ‘fake’ cases, release of arrested party leaders

“Our party is the custodian of martyrs, and it has never been afraid of cases and arrest of its leaders and despite the government’s atrocities, it never compromised on its principles as it is fighting for the rights of the people and democracy,” Mr Shahwani said, adding that the government could only impose restrictions, but could not purchase conscience of the party’s leadership and parliamentarians.

Party’s former MPA and secretary of women wing Shakilla Naveed Dehwar, Ahmed Nawaz Baloch, Musa Baloch, Ghulam Nabi Marri, Mir Maqbool Lehri and others also addressed the protestors.

They said the 26th constitutional amendment has been passed in the parliament through “bullying” and “threats” to lawmakers by the establishment.

They said that fake cases have been registered against Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other party leaders under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Similar protests were also held by party leaders and supporters in Gwadar, Khuzdar, Noshki, Kalat, Mastung, Surab, Wadh, Kharan, Turbat, Panjgur, Dera Murad Jamali and other towns of the province.

In Gwadar, a massive rally was taken out which marched on the main roads of the port city.

Later, the protesters gathered in front of the Gwadar Press Club and condemned the federal government for registering ‘fake’ cases against Mr Akhtar and other party leaders.

They demanded immediate withdrawal of cases and release of arrested party leaders.

Behram Baloch from Gwadar, Ali Jan Mangi from Nasirabad and Abdul Wahid Shahwani from Khuzdar also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2024