QUETTA: Leaders of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) said on Thursday that the government was helpless before the powerful establishment and that it had failed in curbing lawlessness in the province.
They were addressing rallies organised by the BNP-M in Quetta, Nushki, Dalbandin, Mastung, Kharan, Sibi, Barkhan, Kohlu and other towns in protest against the Aug 31 grenade attack on the residence of party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
In Quetta the BNP-M workers and supporters gathered outside the press club and chanted slogans against the government.
Addressing the protesters, Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldani, Agha Hasan Baloch, Sajid Tareen, Jamil Baloch and Ghulam Nabi Marri said the attack on Mr Mengal’s residence was aimed to force the BNP-M to give up its struggle against those who were looting the resources of Balochistan.
They condemned the attack and said such acts and killing and enforced disappearance of BNP-M workers could not force the party to abandon its political movement for the rights of the Baloch.
The BNP-M leaders warned the government against entering into agreements with international companies on resources of Balochistan and said Baloch people would not accept the accords for Gwadar port, Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and other deals signed without their consent.
They said Baloch people were the owners of the resources of their province, and therefore they should be taken into confidence before signing any agreement with international companies.
They said the BNP-M workers were not afraid of attacks and arrests and they would not compromise on their principles.
They called upon the government to stop the alleged military action in Balochistan, trace missing persons, bring an end to the practice of dumping mutilated bodies, release political workers from the alleged custody of intelligence agencies and take steps for the rehabilitation of displaced tribesmen.
The BNP-M leaders said Balochs and Pakhtuns enjoyed cordial relations with each other and that supporters of Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal and Bacha Khan had always struggled jointly against usurpers and exploiters.
