Quetta, April 16, 2025: The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) on Wednesday officially ended its 20-day sit-in at Lak Pass, Mastung, originally launched in protest against the arrest of Baloch rights activists, including Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch.
Addressing supporters, BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal announced the suspension of the sit-in, citing the need to prevent further hardship for the public due to prolonged road closures that had paralyzed key trade and transport routes.
Instead, the party will now shift its protest strategy to district-level rallies across Balochistan, with a central committee meeting scheduled for April 18 in Quetta to finalize the next steps.
The protest began following the arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and 16 others during a demonstration camp in Quetta. The situation escalated when BNP-M and affiliated groups accused law enforcement of fatally assaulting three supporters during the crackdown.
In a related incident, BYC member Sammi Deen Baloch was arrested during demonstrations in Karachi, but was subsequently released.
The sit-in caused significant disruption to commerce and mobility, with the Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Taftan highways blocked, stranding over 1,200 cargo vehicles, including LPG tankers, at the Pakistan-Iran border. The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) reported daily financial losses running into the millions.
Earlier this week, BNP-M also hosted an All Parties Conference (APC) in Quetta, during which nine resolutions were passed. The declaration called for the implementation of constitutional rights tied to Balochistan’s 1948 Instrument of Accession and demanded a comprehensive national dialogue to address historic grievances.
While calling off the sit-in, Mengal reaffirmed the party’s commitment to its demands, stating that BNP-M would continue to push for justice and accountability through a broader, province-wide campaign.
