Govt bypassing merit, claims Mengal

Says people might witness cosmetic change but the real change is too far off

QUETTA: Calling for supremacy of parliament, Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal has said that development has stalled in the country as decisions were being made outside of the legislative assembly.

“People might witness cosmetic change but the real change is too far off as parliament is still fragile in the country,” he remarked.

Addressing a seminar in honour of the late Asma Jahangir in Lahore, the BNP-M chief alleged that the federal government bypassed merit in all departments.

Terming the passage of the 18th Amendment useless for Balochistan, he said though the amendment was unanimously passed by parliament its implementation was yet to be seen as all provinces were deprived of their rights.

“Provinces have no powers to change chief secretaries and IGs. The chief minister is supreme in my province but power lies in the hands of the governor,” he maintained.

Akhtar Mengal pledges to stay steadfast on principles

Speaking about the recent University of Balochistan video scandal, Mengal said replacing the vice-chancellor was tantamount to replacing the prime minister.

“Despite the occurrence of a major video scandal in the province’s largest university, the provincial government did not take any action against varsity staff including the vice-chancellor.”

Paying homage to Asma Jahangir, the BNP chief said that if people like Asma Jahangir were born in every home Pakistan’s issues would be resolved.

He claimed that whenever the need arose Punjab never backed other provinces and always worked for its own interest.

“Unfortunately Punjab never supported small provinces whenever they raised voice for their rights. Instead people of Punjab enjoyed perks and privileges showered upon them by the federal government.”

Mengal vowed to continue raising the issues of Balochistan at every forum.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2019.