Deadlock between govt, BNP-M persists

Tareen says Mengal’s reservations over missing persons issue not addressed yet

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Inaf (PTI) government has been unable to iron out differences with its disgruntled coalition partner Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) whose support is required for passing the budget for the new fiscal year in the National Assembly.

PTI leader Jahangir Tareen met Prime Minister Imran Khan at the latter’s chamber at the Parliament House and informed him about the impasse in talks with the BNP-M.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tareen said he had informed the prime minister about the BNP-M’s grievances.
He added that the BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal’s reservations over launching development projects in Balochistan had been addressed.

However, he added that a government delegation would meet Mengal again over the issue of missing persons.
Tareen also backed the demand for action against the owners of sugar mills.

Responding to a reporter’s query about the sugar price hike, he said if the poor are suffering then sugar mill owners should be held accountable too.

“Protecting the interests of the people is our top priority,” he added.
A few days ago, Mengal told reporters that the PTI had agreed to his party’s six-point agenda in return for its support in the formation of the government. However, he added, the PTI had only given verbal assurances to the BNP-M instead of taking any practical steps to implement the agreement. he BNP-M chief said missing persons was major issue and it was on top of the six-point agenda his party had signed with the PTI.

“The people of Balochistan are concerned about the demographic changes that could take place in the name of development,” he added
“I have raised this issue with the government several times but what can I do if they don’t want to understand.”

Mengal further said the issue of missing persons was not limited to Balochistan only and other provinces were facing the problem as well. “Human rights are respected in a democratic society. If basic human rights are being violated, democracy cannot flourish.”
He also warned that his party would join the opposition if it accepted the BNP-M’s six-point agenda.

The six points included recovery of missing persons, implementation of the National Action Plan, implementation of six per cent quota for Balochistan in the federal government, immediate repatriation of Afghan refugees and the construction of dams in the province to resolve the acute water crisis.

The BNP-M has repeatedly taken up the matter with the federal government and threatened to abstain from voting for the federal budget despite being a coalition partner.