The Balochistan government has issued a stern warning to Sardar Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), threatening his arrest under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) if his party’s march against the detention of Baloch activists proceeds into Quetta.
The BNP-M initiated a “long march” from Wadh to Quetta on March 28, protesting the arrests of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, and the crackdown on their sit-in in Quetta.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that Mengal would face arrest if he attempts to move towards Quetta. Responding to Mengal’s claim on X that his party was “encircled by security forces” at Lakpass, Rind confirmed that Mengal had been informed of the MPO orders early in the morning.
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The government has also instructed district administrations to prevent BNP-M from blocking national highways, citing public inconvenience.
Rind criticized the party’s actions, likening them to tactics used by certain groups during the 2018 elections to shape narratives.
