QUETTA: The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) sit-in continued for its seventh day in Mastung as party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal yesterday announced three demands during its protest against the recent arrests of right activists.

The BNP-M had announced a "long march" from Wadh to Quetta last Friday to protest against the arrests of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, as well as the police crackdown on their sit-in in Quetta.

Sammi was released on Tuesday.While addressing the sit-in yesterday morning, Mengal said: "The government can continue to use force as per its wishes, but it will be held responsible for the consequences.

"Despite the end of the second round of talks with the government's negotiation team, the deadlock persists," he said.

The BNP-M chief said the party has three demands: "Either release all prisoners of the BYC, including women, or then let us march on to Quetta, where we can hold a peaceful sit-in there. Or then arrest us."

Mengal said these demands were presented before the provincial government delegation comprising Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Ubaidullah Gorgage, as well as Additional Home Chief Secretary Zahid Saleem, and the Kalat Commissioner.

"There are no demands other than this, nor is there any other option," Mengal said. "We have presented our clear demands to the government from day one."

Mengal said the government's delegation had asked for more time for consultation after the second round of talks. "The deadlock persists despite two more days being sought for consultation, which ends tonight."

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 04 2025

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