Quetta-Karachi highway reopens after Mengal ends sit-in

QUETTA: Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the head of Balochistan National Party (BNP) and former chief minister Balochistan, announced to end his sit-in protest at Lakpass after 20 days, resulting in reopening of Quetta-Karachi highway on Wednesday.

Sharing the BNP Central Committee meeting decision with the media at the sit-in venue, he said the party would now hold demonstrations and rallies across Balochistan. To determine the future course of action, he announced convening a meeting of the party’s central cabinet on April 18.

“We have called off the sit-in, but the protest continues. Every struggle has different phases — we have not abandoned our movement,” Mengal stated.

Akhtar Mengal explained that the party launched the protest to demand the release of Mahrang Baloch and other women and individuals detained in the province. The long march began from Wadh on March 28 and later turned into a sit-in at Lakpass. Over the past days, various political and religious parties, tribal elders, and dignitaries showed solidarity with the movement. An All Parties Conference (APC) was also held recently, where leaders suggested that, considering the public’s difficulties, the sit-in should end but the protest must continue.

He said although the sit-in had ended, the protest was far from over. In line with the central committee’s decisions, the movement will now enter its second phase in a new form. Rallies are scheduled to be held across various cities on the following dates: Mastung on April 18, Kalat on April 20, Surab on April 22, Khuzdar on April 24, Panjgur on April 26, Turbat on April 28, Gwadar on April 30, Nushki on May 2, Dalbandin on May 4, Kharan on May 6, Hub on May 8, Sibi on May 10, Naseerabad on May 12, and Loralai on May 13.

Mengal noted that the rallies would include local participants as well as members of the party’s central cabinet, central committee, district officials, political and tribal leaders, and residents of each area.

He also criticised the arrest of Dr Mahrang Baloch, calling it unconstitutional and illegal. He added that the state had placed obstacles in their peaceful long march. From Wadh to Mastung, people warmly welcomed the protesters. The Lakpass sit-in was fraught with danger, but they remained committed to peaceful political and democratic protest. He pointed out that while others were allowed to protest, they were denied their constitutional and democratic rights. Mengal criticised the government for attempting to block traffic and impose a shutdown.