QUETTA: The sit-in led by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the leader of the Baluchistan National Party (BNP), at Lak Pass in Mastung entered its 9th consecutive day.
Despite extensive negotiations, no progress has been made between the government delegation and Akhtar Mengal. Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, reached out to Mengal to discuss the matter. Speaking to the media, Akhtar Mengal stated that they had presented their demands to Ayaz Sadiq, who assured them that the issue would be raised with the Prime Minister.
Mengal also revealed that female members of the Baluchistan Assembly had approached him, and he raised the urgent issue of the release of detained women in their presence. He warned that if their demands are not met, they will stage a peaceful march towards Quetta the following day.
On the other hand, the spokesperson for the Baluchistan government, Shahid Rand, made it clear that BNP will not be granted permission to hold protests in Quetta’s Red Zone.
Meanwhile, mobile and internet services in Quetta, which had been suspended for four days, were briefly restored today before being shut down once again.
In response to the ongoing situation, an emergency has been declared at the District Headquarter Hospital in Mastung. According to the Medical Superintendent (MS), this emergency will remain in effect from April 6 to April 8, during which time all leave for doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical staff has been canceled.
