The Balochistan National Party (BNP) has declared its intention to organize a long march to Quetta in protest against the policies of the caretaker provincial government, which the party claims supports death squads in the region.
The long march is set to begin from Wadh and conclude in Quetta on October 22, with a public rally scheduled at Quetta’s Hockey Stadium at 4:00 pm on the same day. BNP workers from various regions, including Khuzdar, Surab, Panjgur, Turbat, Nushki, Kharan, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, and Quetta, will participate in the march.
During a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, key BNP leaders such as Malik Naseer Shahwani, Akhtar Hussain Langove, Shakeela Naveed Dehvar, Musa Baloch, Rauf Mengal, and Sajid Tareen voiced concerns over the deteriorating situation in Wadh and criticized the caretaker government’s inability to ensure the safety of the citizens, leading to the escalation of street protests.
The leaders accused the authorities of deliberately inciting tension in Wadh and emphasized the BNP’s commitment to representing Balochistan’s interests at both the provincial and federal levels. They also criticized the recent decisions of the provincial apex committee, asserting that the state’s focus appears to be centered on the protection of a single individual, rather than addressing the needs of the people of Balochistan.
Furthermore, the leaders recounted the significant losses suffered by the BNP, including the targeted killings of numerous party workers, such as former BNP central secretary-general Habib Jalib.
BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal condemned the caretaker government’s actions, likening it to martial law, in response to the filing of cases against him and other BNP leaders for organizing peaceful protests against alleged “death squads” in the province. The FIR named BNP Central Executive Committee member Ghulam Nabi Marri, former MPAs Shakeela Naveed Dawar, and Shumaila Ismail for delivering what the authorities deemed provocative speeches against the caretaker government.
