BNP says governor will resign if Baloch marchers not freed

Chief of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), Sardar Akhtar Mengal, strongly asserted on Thursday that the governor of Balochistan would tender his resignation unless Baloch women, who were unjustly arrested, were immediately released by the Islamabad police.

Speaking at a press conference held at his residence, Mengal conveyed the governor's intention to travel to Islamabad the following day, seeking a meeting with the president and caretaker prime minister to address the urgent matter.

“If the detained women are not promptly released, the governor will submit his resignation,” declared the BNP Chief, with Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar and other party leaders present. Governor Kakar belongs to BNP.

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Emphasizing the persistent neglect of Baloch grievances by the ruling authorities, Mengal stated, "We demand justice and are vocal about it." Governor Malik Wali Kakar affirmed his commitment to follow the party chief's instructions regarding the potential resignation.

Mengal condemned the use of force against Baloch women protesters in Islamabad, who were advocating for the return of missing persons. He criticized the Islamabad police for resorting to tear gas and baton charges instead of addressing the concerns of the demonstrators.

The Baloch nationalist leader called on the federal caretaker government to ensure the immediate release of arrested women and children.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2023.