KARACHI: Political leaders on Sunday paid rich tribute to late Baloch leader Sardar Attaullah Khan Mengal, recalling his political services and contribution to public life at a condolence reference held at the Karachi Press Club.

The reference, organised by the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), marked the fifth death anniversary of Attaullah Mengal and the first death anniversary of the people who died in a bomb blast at Quetta’s Shahwani Stadium.

BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chairman and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate opposition leader and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, JUI-F leader Maulana Rashid Mahmood Soomro, Sindh United Party president Syed Zain Shah, National Party leader Kabir Muhammad Shahi, PTI-Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh, Awami National Party leader Asghar Khan Achakzai and other political figures attended the reference.

The speakers recalled Sardar Attaullah Mengal’s political career and paid tribute to his services, saying his contribution would be remembered.

Politicians reject creation of new provinces; Achakzai seeks APC on constitutional governance, peace and issues confronting Balochistan and KP

Speaking on broader political issues, Mr Achakzai called for an all-parties conference to discuss constitutional supremacy, strengthening Parliament, justice, peace, terrorism and the issues facing Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He also opposed proposals for the creation of new provinces, saying the country already faced challenges in managing its existing provincial structure. He called for political issues to be resolved through dialogue and consensus.

Allama Nasir Abbas said the Constitution and rule of law were essential for the country’s stability. He added that political forces needed to work for constitutional governance and the rights of citizens.

PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the people of Balochistan had a right to benefit from the province’s natural resources. Referring to gas production in Sui, he said resource-producing areas should also benefit from their resources.

Addressing the gathering, Syed Zain Shah said the 1973 Constitution had been framed through the collective efforts of the country’s political leadership and other stakeholders, but it was not being implemented in its true spirit today.

He said the people of Balochistan had the right to exercise control over their natural resources and called for steps to ensure greater provincial autonomy.

Barrister Raja said the Constitution required a two-thirds majority resolution of the relevant provincial assembly before any province could be divided.

He said the participants would not allow the rights of the provinces to be undermined through any proposed new constitutional amendment.

JUI-F’s Rashid Soomro said his party stood with the people of Balochistan in their struggle for their rights.

At the conclusion of the reference, the participants unanimously adopted several resolutions. They demanded an immediate end to the use of force in Balochistan, release of all political prisoners and the recovery of missing persons.

The resolutions also called for the restoration of trade in border areas and the withdrawal of the Mineral Act. The participants further demanded implementation, in letter and spirit, of the Supreme Court’s decision concerning PTI founder Imran Khan.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2026