Balochistan [Pakistan], April 9– The Balochistan National Party’s (BNP) protest at Lakpass in Mastung district entered its 12th consecutive day on Tuesday, with no resolution in sight despite multiple rounds of talks and visits by senior figures. The protest continues to demand the release of Baloch human rights activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detained members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).
Former Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani visited the protest camp and met BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, but party sources confirmed that no substantial progress was made during the discussions.
“Sanjrani met Sardar Mengal at the camp, but no decision was reached,” said a BNP official.
“We did not discuss calling off the sit-in,” Mengal told reporters, adding that the government’s negotiating ministers lacked the authority to commit to resolutions.
Mengal also condemned the government’s handling of the situation, accusing it of causing public inconvenience by blocking roads instead of addressing the protesters’ demands.
“This is the first time a government has responded by punishing the people rather than resolving the issue,” Mengal stated.
Despite contact from National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Mengal claimed that no meaningful steps have been taken by the federal government or the PML-N leadership to end the deadlock.
Meanwhile, BNP has launched a series of political education seminars at the protest camp. The first seminar paid tribute to Malik Saeed Dehwar and Manzoor Baloch, both known for their contributions to the Baloch national movement. Future seminars will honor Babo Abdul Kareen Shorish, Malik Faiz Mohammed Yousufzai, and political pioneers like Mir Abdul Aziz Kurd and Abdul Rahim Khuwaja Khail.
“We invite all Balochi literary writers and intellectuals to participate in these public seminars,” the party wrote in a post on X.
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The sit-in has drawn participants from across Balochistan, all demanding the immediate release of Dr Mahrang Baloch, Bebo Baloch, Shah Jee Sughatullah Baloch, Beberg Baloch, and other activists.
In parallel political developments, a National Party delegation led by Abdul Malik Baloch has traveled to Lahore to meet PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. The NP aims to brief the leadership on the growing unrest and recent arrests in Balochistan. The delegation includes key figures such as Jan Muhammad Buledi, Phulain Baloch (MNA), Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai, Aslam Baloch, Shahwize Khan Bizenjo, and Malik Ayub.
The situation remains tense, with both political and civil society leaders urging the government to take decisive action to resolve the issue and uphold human rights in the region.