Mengal’s exit

The resignation of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, chief of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), from his National Assembly seat is not just a political move but a distress signal from a province long treated as a pariah. Mengal’s letter to the National Assembly speaker, in which he declared his loss of faith in the state, the president, and the prime minister, should serve as a wake-up call. In fact, it is yet another reminder that Balochistan, a province rich in resources but impoverished by neglect, continues to be marginalized and ignored. Mengal’s words echo the frustrations of a province that has repeatedly been pushed to the periphery of national discourse. When he speaks of Baloch voices being silenced, protests met with hostility, and people branded as traitors or worse, it is not hyperbole but for many in Balochistan a lived reality.

For decades, Balochistan has been treated as an afterthought, its issues remaining unchanged regardless of the government in power. Despite this, nationalist leaders like Mengal and Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch chose the path of mainstream politics over separatism, hoping that their participation in the parliamentary process would bring the plight of their people to the attention of those in power. This is why their sense of dejection signals a deepening crisis of confidence and the immediate need to ensure national integration through dialogue, delivery, and effective inclusive decision-making. Political experts have long warned that disillusionment with the state is taking root among Baloch youth, who feel that all avenues of peaceful resolution are closing. This sense of alienation is fertile ground for extremist ideologies to take hold, threatening the stability not just of Balochistan but of Pakistan as a whole. It is in this context that Mengal’s latest step must also be seen – a response to the pressures on the streets of Balochistan, which have been building for years as successive governments have failed to resolve the brewing crisis.

The disenfranchisement of Baloch voters has become normalized, a tragic consequence of the centre’s belief that compromised local politicians, who are more often selected than elected, can be relied upon to maintain a facade of stability. But when funds meant for the province’s development go unspent, when infrastructure remains undeveloped, and when health and education sectors languish despite the financial autonomy granted by the 18th Amendment, then a question arises: who are these ‘representatives’ representing? However, while addressing the legitimate grievances of Balochistan, the state must also remain vigilant against the threat posed by militant organizations such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). These groups exploit the alienation and disillusionment of the Baloch people, using violence to further their own agendas, which only deepens the crisis in the province. The state’s responsibility extends not only to addressing the root causes of discontent but also to ensuring that such militant outfits are dealt with decisively. The threat they pose cannot be trivialized, because their actions also end up undermining genuine efforts towards peace and reconciliation in Balochistan.

While bringing Akhtar Mengal back to parliament should be a priority, more importantly, the state must listen to him and other leaders like him who have chosen the path of dialogue over violence. The issues that have pushed Balochistan to the brink must be addressed with sincerity and urgency. This is not just about one province; it is about the very integrity of the nation at a time when the state must also redouble its efforts to neutralize the threats posed by militant organizations that seek to destabilize the country.