QUETTA, Feb 27: The Balochistan National Party (Mengal) held a demonstration here on Wednesday in protest against the military operation in the province and demanded immediate release of all political workers, including Sardar Akhtar Mengal, and recovery of missing persons.

The protesters chanted anti-government slogans and vowed to continue their struggle for the rights of the Baloch people.

BNP-M secretary-general Habib Jalib Baloch, Malik Wali Kakar, Ghulam Nabi Marri and Musa Jan Baloch spoke on the occasion.

Mr Jalib condemned the atrocities perpetrated against the Baloch people and said that two days ago two persons had been killed and several injured in an attack on the Pirkani bridge.

He said the political movement of the Baloch enjoyed the support of the masses and could not be suppressed by force.

He welcomed the PPP’s apology, but said normality would not return to the province unless the rights of the Baloch were fully recognised.

He said police were reluctant to register an FIR against the killers of Nawab Akbar Bugti and Nawabzada Balaach Marri.

He said that provincial autonomy would be meaningless if Punjab continued to loot the resources of Balochistan and demanded complete ownership rights of resources and the coastal belt.