The Balochistan government has issued a stern warning to Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal, cautioning that he will be arrested if his party’s protest march enters Quetta.
In a statement on Sunday, government spokesperson Shahid Rind said Mengal had been notified of his possible arrest under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) at 6 a.m. that morning.
“Mengal refused to comply with the order,” Rind stated. “The administration and law enforcement have made it clear that any attempt to proceed toward Quetta will result in his arrest, which is why police and security personnel have been deployed.”
He also criticized BNP-M’s call to block national highways, saying such actions would increase public inconvenience. “All district administrations have been directed to ensure that national highways remain open,” he added.
BNP-M launched its “long march” from Wadh to Quetta on March 28, protesting the arrest of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and activists, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch. The protest also condemns police action against the BYC sit-in in Quetta.
Although Sammi Deen Baloch was released earlier in the week, the BNP-M protest has continued for over 10 days and is currently stationed in the Lakpass area of Mastung. The party has stated that it will move toward Quetta if the government fails to meet its demands.
Rind mentioned that two rounds of negotiations were held with BNP-M leadership. The party reportedly requested permission to protest in Quetta’s Red Zone, but the government denied this, offering Sariab Road as an alternative location.
During talks, BNP-M submitted three main demands, including the release of detained Baloch activists. However, the government maintained its refusal to allow demonstrations in the sensitive Red Zone.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government revoked the detention order of BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch under Section 3 of the Sindh MPO, allowing her release with immediate effect.
She had been arrested in Karachi after leading a protest against the crackdown on BYC leaders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, who was earlier detained along with 16 other activists during a police raid on a protest camp in Quetta. The arrests followed accusations that police had fatally assaulted three protesters during a previous crackdown.
Authorities have accused Sammi and others, including Abdul Wahab Baloch and Raza Ali, of organizing sit-ins and road blockades that threatened public order.
Adding to the tense situation, Mengal and several BNP-M members survived a suicide bombing at a party rally in Mastung on March 29.
Let me know if you need this tailored further—for news, social media, or a formal report.
