Prominent leaders from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) launched sharp criticism against Balochistan National Party (BNP) president and former Chief Minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal. During a press conference at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, PPP officials labeled Mengal as a “terrorist mastermind” and accused him of being a destabilizing force in Balochistan politics.
The PPP delegation, which included Sadiq Umrani, Ali Madad, and Bakht Muhammad Kakar, accused Mengal of hiding behind women to avoid arrest. They claimed that the BNP is a political entity equivalent to a union council with no substantial influence in the region and criticized Mengal for shielding militants under the guise of political activism. The delegation called on Mengal to “watch his words” and hinted at exposing his undisclosed negotiations with various governments over the years.
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Umrani further alleged that Mengal had continuously aligned himself with successive ruling parties, from Nawaz Sharif to Imran Khan, securing substantial funds (allegedly Rs 15 billion) for Balochistan. However, the PPP leader questioned the tangible outcomes of these agreements, asserting that the province remains impoverished. Umrani also credited the PPP for stepping aside in a prior election to support a BNP candidate but warned that they could easily reclaim political ground if they chose to do so.
The PPP maintained that its leadership has consistently supported democratic values and paid a significant price for it, referencing their history of imprisonments and martyrdom. They contrasted this with Mengal’s alleged connections to anti-state elements.
The PPP leaders also mentioned high-profile cases, including the activities of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, who they described as the “political wing of terrorists,” linked to violent acts such as hospital attacks and property destruction. They also criticized Mengal’s silence on the arrests of prominent women leaders like Faryal Talpur and Maryam Nawaz, suggesting hypocrisy in his political stance.
Concluding the press conference, the PPP emphasized its focus on peace and development for Balochistan under Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. They expressed willingness to cooperate with democratic forces but firmly opposed engaging with individuals or entities associated with terrorism.
