Akhtar Mengal resigns from National Assembly over Balochistan crisis

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan National Party (BNPM) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Tuesday resigned as the National Assembly Member over the “worsening situation” in the province, declaring no confidence in the state, president and prime minister.

“I announce my resignation from the assembly today. I made this decision after witnessing the situation of Balochistan,” said Mengal during a National Assembly session. Regretting he could not do anything for the people of the province, the politician said they had not been given the right to rule for a year and that he has lack of trust in the whole system.

“People are not interested in the issues of Balochistan and every time this issue is raised, we face a blackout,” he said. “This assembly does not listen to us, what’s the point of sitting here?”

Speaking to Geo News, Mengal said that the decision was made by his conscience. He questioned where they would go when the roads to parliament were blocked. Mengal, who was elected from NA-256, said the prevailing situation in Balochistan had compelled him to take the step.

“Our province has consistently been marginalised and ignored by this House. Each day, we are pushed further to the wall, leaving us with no choice but to reconsider our roles. The lack of genuine representation in this assembly for the people of Balochistan have left voices like mine unable to bring a meaningful change,” said the resignation letter.

Mengal said that their attempts to speak or protest are “met with hostility. Our people are either silenced, labelled as traitors, or worse, killed. I find it impossible to continue in this capacity, as my presence here no longer serves any purpose for the people I represent,” he said.