QUETTA: The Baloc­histan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) on Wednesday called off its 20-day sit-in at Lakpass, on the outskirts of Quetta, but vowed to continue the protest movement through rallies across the province from tomorrow (Friday).

The protest was aimed at demanding the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Chief Organiser Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detained female activists.

Addressing a press confere­nce at Lakpass, BNP-M President Sardar Akhtar Mengal said the party’s central cabinet would convene tomorrow to deliberate on provincial issues and decide the future course of action.

Mr Mengal was accompanied by several party leaders, including Nawab Muha­mmad Khan Shah­wani, Sajid Tareen, Malik Naseer Ahmed Shahwani, Ghulam Nabi Marri and Akhtar Hussain Langove.

Calling off the sit-in, he clarified, did not mean that the party had abandoned its struggle. “The second phase of our protest begins with a rally from Mastung on April 18,” he announced, noting the decision had been finalised during the BNP-M’s Central Committee meeting on Wednesday morning. The protest began as a long march from Wadh on March 28 and culminated in a sit-in at Lakpass after the government blocked the marchers from entering Quetta. Mr Mengal said the movement was launched to demand the release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detained individuals, particularly women.

“Leaders from various political and religious parties, tribal elders and public members visited the sit-in camp to show solidarity,” he said. A multi-party conference held during the sit-in also advised that, while the sit-in should end to ease public inconvenience, the protest itself must continue, he added.

He emphasised that although the sit-in had ended, the protest was far from over. In line with the party’s central committee decisions, the movement would now enter its second phase in a new form, he said.

Mr Mengal also shared the schedule of the upcoming rallies: Mastung (April 18), Kalat (April 20), Surab (April 22), Khuzdar (April 24), Panjgur (April 26), Turbat (April 28), Gwadar (April 30), Noshki (May 2), Dalbandin (May 4), Kharan (May 6), Hub (May 8), Sibi (May 10), Nasirabad (May 12), and Loralai (May 13). He said these rallies would include local participants along with BNP-M’s central cabinet, central committee members, district officials, and political and tribal leaders.

Reiterating his demand for Dr Mahrang’s immediate release, Mr Mengal termed her arrest “illegal and unconstitutional”. He accused the government of obstructing the peaceful march, stating that people along the route welcomed the protesters warmly. Despite challenging conditions at the Lakpass sit-in, he said participants remained committed to a peaceful, democratic protest.

The BNP-M chief also criticised the government’s blockade of roads during the protest, questioning whether such actions reflected a people’s government. He thanked the political, religious and tribal leaders who stood by the movement during the 20-day protest despite challenging conditions in the wilderness.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2025