QUETTA: The sit-in protest led by Balochistan National Party-Mengal continued in the Lakpass area on the outskirts of Mastung, as three rounds of negotiations between the BNP-M leadership and the provincial government ended without success with the party refusing to call off protest until the release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders.

Led by senior minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, the government team held two rounds of talks with Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other protesting leaders before Eidul Fitr and a third on Wednesday evening that continued for over three hours.

During the talks, there were reports on the social media claiming an agreement was about to be reached for Dr Mahrang’s release after successful talks. However, after the third round of talks, Mr Mengal denied any agreement. “Talks are in progress, but we have not abandoned our sit-in so far and it will continue,” he said.

During their visit to the protest site, a delegation comprising PTI secretary-general Salman Akram Raja, former governor Latif Khosa, opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Shaista Khosa, and Sunni Ittehad Council leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza to expressed solidarity with the BNP-M, declaring that the PTI was with the people of Balochistan in their struggle.

Mr Mengal announced that BNP would unveil its future course of action today (Thursday) at 5pm, signalling the potential escalation of the protest if demands remain unmet.

Meanwhile, BYC leaders, workers and supporters also continued to stage rallies and protest demonstrations in Turbat, Pasni, Gwadar, Panjgur, Noshki, Dalbandin, Ormara, Jiwani, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kharan, Hub and many other towns during the last three days.

With input from Behram Baloch in Gwadar and Abdul Wahid Shahwani in Khuzdar

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2025