On Tuesday, Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-M), resigned from the National Assembly. He cited his frustration and a lack of freedom within the parliament, as well as lawmakers’ indifference towards the insecurity faced by Balochistan’s people.
Mengal’s planned resignation was cut short when members of the assembly pointed out a lack of quorum before he could make his announcement. He later declared his resignation in a media briefing outside the Parliament House.
Mengal criticized the parliament, suggesting that its proceedings were manipulated and accusing members of ignoring Balochistan’s issues. He lamented that while protests by local women and elderly were ignored, the assembly showed no interest in addressing the serious conditions in Balochistan. He called the National Assembly a “fake gathering of legislators,” blaming politicians, the judiciary, and the military for the region’s suffering.
Elected as an MNA from Khuzdar (NA-256) in the February 8 elections and previously in 2018, Mengal had also served as Balochistan’s chief minister. He acknowledged that his decision might upset many voters but apologized, recalling a meeting with the Prime Minister on July 23 where he had indicated his willingness to quit if he was no longer needed in politics.
Resignation Letter:
In a resignation letter to the National Assembly speaker, BNP-M leader Akhtar Mengal stated that the “current situation in Balochistan has forced me to take this action.” He expressed frustration with the assembly’s persistent marginalization of Balochistan, noting that the province has been consistently ignored and that the people are pushed to the brink. Mengal felt that the lack of genuine representation in the assembly has rendered his efforts to instigate meaningful change ineffective.
He criticized the assembly for responding to attempts to address grievances with hostility and for labeling or silencing dissenting voices, sometimes even resorting to violence. Given these conditions, Mengal declared it impossible to continue in his role, as his presence no longer benefits the people he represents.
Mengal requested the speaker to accept his resignation and expressed a desire for Balochistan’s protection and prosperity. Notably, the resignation was typed, whereas the rules require it to be handwritten. Mengal stated that if his resignation is rejected on this basis, he would submit handwritten versions, even in Balochi.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mengal described his resignation as a “tribute” to his late father, Sardar Attaullah Mengal, on the third anniversary of his death.
Political opponents, the Jhalwan Awami Panel, suggested that Mengal’s resignation was a ploy to garner attention from nationalist groups, such as the Baloch Yakjehti Committee led by Dr. Mahrang Baloch. Their spokesperson, Nadeemur Rehman Mengal, claimed that the BNP-M had lost public support and struggled to organize significant events, including the death anniversary of Sardar Attaullah Mengal on September 2.
