QUETTA: The Balochistan National Party (BNP) on Monday condemned Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s recent press talk against party leader Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, calling it an attempt to conceal the CM’s own incompetence.

Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club alongside party leaders, BNP’s Senior Vice President Sajid Tareen said Akhtar Mengal was being deliberately targeted for highlighting the real issues facing Balochistan.

He recalled that the same chief minister, as a senator three years ago, had warned that denying rights to Balochistan’s youth could push them towards violence, remarks which, he said, now stand in sharp contrast to the government’s current stance.

Mr Tareen stressed that the BNP’s position remains clear: violence is not a solution to Balochistan’s problems, as it only results in the loss of innocent lives.

He accused the “puppet government” installed after what he termed the “bogus February 8 elections” of deepening alienation among the province’s youth through flawed policies and governance failures.

Accuses CM Bugti of ‘hiding his incompetence’ through criticism of Akhtar Mengal

He questioned the government’s writ, asking where the administration was when 12 districts of Balochistan were under attack.

Mr Tareen alleged that the ruling setup thrives on instability, knowing that under normal conditions its members would struggle to win even local council elections.

He maintained that the Balochistan issue is political in nature and can only be resolved through serious and meaningful dialogue.

Reaffirming the party’s resolve, he said the BNP, under the leadership of Akhtar Mengal, would continue to raise its voice against injustice, adding that press conferences, false cases and coercive actions would not silence the party.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2026