Mengal bids adieu to parliament, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

After resigning from his National Assembly seat, Balochistan National Party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal has left for Dubai.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the BNP chief tweeted that all political parties had refused to accept his resignation which was surprising for him.

"I have already resigned and have no intention of returning to parliament. They believe they will convince me to change my decision," tweeted Mengal.

He mentioned they do not need to apologise to him but the people of Balochistan. "You have hurt them by depriving them of their loved ones. Say sorry to Saami and Mahrang as you killed them when they wanted to hold talks with you," tweeted the BNP chief.

"I am not only Akhter Mengal but I am part of the public. When you apologise to them it will ultimately be an apology for me," Mengal maintained.

He said he has no personal enmity with anyone but his conscience forced him to take such a step.

Mengal asserted, "I tried to convince all but they were not willing to resolve the issues of Balochistan. I was not in Pakistan but came to the country to relieve myself from the burden I was carrying for months. However, I am relaxed now and hope that others will also perceive the reality."

He bid farewell to parliament and added, "Perhaps, we will meet when there is a rule of law."

Meanwhile, the government and opposition members held a meeting in the Speaker's chamber over the matter of Mengal's resignation. They decided sending a joint delegation of government and opposition members to Mengal for wooing him to return to parliament.

The opposition members, who attended the meeting included Barrister Gohar, Asad Qaiser and Amir Dogar while the government side comprised Rana Sanaullah and Khalid Magsi.

The sources said the meeting also consulted to convene all parties conference. Besides, the participants of the meeting considered the recommendations for creating consensus on the situation in Balochistan. The opposition members made a recommendation for convening in-camera joint session on Balochistan situation.

It was decided in the meeting that the government and opposition must be on the same page for the sake of peace in Balochistan.