Independent Report
Quetta: In a sharp critique of federal governance in Balochistan, Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal stated that the government’s authority is effectively limited to the Red Zone of Islamabad, while the rest of the province suffers from lawlessness and neglect. In a detailed interview with a private television channel, Mengal said, “The media shows only superficial coverage – soup and broth – while the blood, pain, and struggles of Balochistan remain invisible.”
Mengal argued that the 27th Constitutional Amendment has weakened politics, judiciary, and press freedom, leaving citizens without meaningful representation. He asserted that the 1973 Constitution has “lost its soul” in Balochistan, effectively creating a state of localized martial law. He cited prolonged internet blackouts in Khuzdar, closures of national highways, and routine interference by security forces as examples of systemic governance failure.
Addressing issues of security and civil liberties, Mengal said, “In areas like Zahri, security forces controlled operations for months, yet public movement and even basic access to food were restricted. Where is the state in this?” He criticized political parties involved in the 26th Amendment for failing to safeguard public interests. Mengal confirmed BNP’s termination of memberships of key figures, citing political manipulation in Senate appointments and raising concerns about the concentration of power in a few hands.
He further highlighted restrictions on media and public gatherings, noting that party rallies and protests are often met with Section 144 enforcement and threats to life, equating the conditions to a form of “jungle law.” Mengal urged all political parties to unite for the establishment of a new constituent assembly, warning that without such structural reforms, the country cannot function democratically.
