QUETTA:
Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal announced on Wednesday that he would reveal plans for fresh demonstrations on Thursday (today) as his ongoing protest against the arrests of rights activists entered its sixth day.
His negotiations with a government delegation the previous day ended without any breakthrough. Mengal, in a post on X, declared that he would announce the next phase of demonstrations at 5pm on April 3 (today).
“The delegation that visited us yesterday to negotiate on our legitimate demands lacked the authority to speak independently,” he stated. “They were ‘messengers’ without power, which ‘lies with those who truly control this province’.”
He further warned the government that attempts to derail the movement through insincere talks would not succeed. “Tomorrow, April 3, 2025, at 5pm, we will announce our next phase of demonstrations,” he reiterated. “If they (the government) believe they can distract us with these hollow negotiations, let it be clear: they’ve miscalculated once again.”
Mengal also lamented the communication blackout in Balochistan, calling it an effort to stifle dissent. “Since late last night, all cellular networks and home WiFi in Balochistan have been shut down,” he wrote. “The sole purpose of this blackout is to silence the voices of the oppressed.”
Moreover, he accused the authorities of blocking senior PTI members who were en route to join the sit-in. “In response, trenches have been dug, more containers placed, and additional forces deployed. Every attempt the government makes to wash away its stains only ends up leaving it more tainted,” he stated.
Press conference
A senior Balochistan police official on Wednesday called into question the legitimacy of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), asserting that it is not a registered organisation.
At a joint news conference held at Quetta’s central police office, Quetta Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Aitzaz Goraya, provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind and Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad bin Asad addressed the ongoing protests.
While acknowledging the BYC’s right to demonstrate, they asserted that vandalism and destruction of public property would not be tolerated.
“The Balochistan government’s position has been very clear: every political party or group has the right to protest peacefully as guaranteed by the Constitution,” Rind said.
DIG Goraya recounted an incident at Civil Hospital, saying that BYC members attacked hospital staff and vandalised security cameras.
“BYC leaders and members went to the hospital to claim the bodies, but were told to bring the heirs,” he said. “The BYC claimed that they are the heirs and that they will take away the bodies. I will leave it to you to answer the question of who the BLA’s [Balochistan Liberation Army] heirs are.”
He further said that the BYC forcibly took away the bodies, damaging the hospital’s mortuary, and assaulting both police officers and hospital staff.
“On the one hand, they [the BYC] talk about human rights and on the other, they own the bodies of terrorists,” Goraya stated, adding that law enforcement intercepted them and recovered the bodies.
Detailing the damage caused during the protests in Quetta, the DIG revealed that demonstrators destroyed over 36 Safe City cameras, 18 poles, and several hundred metres of fibre optic cables.
“Additionally, the university’s gate was destroyed, a nearby post office was burned, and some protesters broke into a bank to steal money, but they were repulsed,” he added.
He said that legal action has been initiated against those involved in vandalism, and first information reports (FIRs) have been registered.
“Everybody has the right to protest, but nobody has the right to destroy public or private property or block the public’s right of way,” Goraya asserted. “If you want to protest, do it in front of the press club or the DC’s office.”
He further revealed that authorities had attempted negotiations with the BYC, but the group was unwilling to engage in dialogue.
“Nobody was ready to listen. If they do not want to listen and just make a hue and cry as per the given legal procedures, the district administration had to act,” he said.
When asked about the BYC’s legal standing, Goraya questioned, “Where is the BYC registered?”
He elaborated that had the group been officially registered, they would have been bound by specific legal frameworks for conducting their protests.
Responding to another query, Rind admitted that internet and cellular services had been suspended in Quetta due to security concerns. However, he reiterated that the government remained open to dialogue.
“Negotiations are underway with [Balochistan National Party chief] Sardar Akhtar Mengal in connection with the Mastung sit-in,” he added.
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