Following a day of warning Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s BNP from entering the red zone of the provincial capital as part of their continuous protest, the provincial authorities declared on Sunday that should the BNP chairman try to enter Quetta, he would be arrested.
Leading the BNP’s lengthy march, Mengal had promised to reach Quetta on April 6 (Sunday) to demonstrate against the claimed forced disappearances of political activists in Balochistan and the detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, notably Dr Mahrang Baloch.
Two rounds of negotiations were conducted with BNP leadership, according to the provincial government, during which they were invited to stage their protest at Shahwani Stadium in Quetta. The party had denied, nevertheless, and persisted on marching to the red zone of the city.
Attending a press briefing prior to the planned Saturday protest, Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind warned rigorous legal action will be taken against any law breaking.
“The government is showing constraint, but any attempt to breach Section 144 or provoke unrest will be met with a firm response,” Rind had stated.
The government set containers on access points and assigned a lot of security guards to successfully stop BNP officials and employees from accessing the city.
Rind posted on Sunday on social media site X saying BNP head Akhtar Mengal will be detained should he try to enter Quetta.
” Mengal was told by the government at 6:00 am regarding orders made under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), but he resisted to turn in. Should he arrive in Quetta, they would be detained,” Rind said, noting that law enforcement officials had been sent to uphold lawfulness.
Described as an attempt to disturb daily life and boost public suffering, the government also attacked the party’s demand to block national roadways. According to Shahid Rind, every district government has received unambiguous orders prohibiting the closure of any highway.
Residents of Balochistan, meantime, voiced worries over likely travel disturbances. The BNP posted separately a video alleging that law enforcement personnel had shot shells at a party worker gathering at Quetta’s Sona Khan Chowk.
On the footage uploaded online, white smoke was visible rising far away.
Mengal had earlier previously posted on X saying that a massive operation appeared likely and that he and his followers were surrounded by security personnel near Lak Pass.
In response, the BNP declared demonstrations all throughout the province claiming that the present administration had started to target its officials and employees.
