QUETTA:
On Saturday, an alleged suicide attack was held near the site of a sentence staged by the Baluchistan National Party (BNP-M) in the Lak Pass area of the Mastung district of Baluchistan.
The BNP-M head, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, and other high-level leaders of the party were present at the protest site when the attacker wranged his suicide vest. However, fortunately, all people remained unharmed.
Mengal’s party had launched a long march from Wadh to Quetta against the arrest of the leaders of the Balochjehti (Byc) committee, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sami Deen Muhammad.
According to the sources, the Baluchistan government had been in contact with the BNP-M leadership since the previous night and a BNP-M delegation had already met with the local administration.
A government team was also scheduled to meet with Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Saturday, when the incident took place. They said that the government has assured protesters that an exhaustive investigation has been launched whose findings will be shared soon with the public.
After the incident, security increased significantly in the long BNP-M BNP-M march. The authorities have implemented strict measures to ensure security in the area, with the aim of avoiding other threats, authorities said.
Prime Minister Sarfaraz Bugti firmly condemned what he referred to as an “alleged suicide bombing.”
In a publication on the social media platform X, he said the government would investigate the incident thoroughly. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to provide security for leadership and BNP-M participants.
The JUI-F also condemned the suicidal attack, pointing out that it is the government’s responsibility to guarantee the protection of peaceful protests.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, Jui-F spokesman Aslam Ghauri said the suicidal attack against Mengal and its workers was deeply unfortunate.
“The Pakistan Constitution allows peaceful protests. Ensuring security for peaceful protests is the government’s responsibility,” he said.
He said that those who advocate their rights through constitutional means must be completely protected.
“Democrats should not be pushed against the wall. When the voices are ignored in Parliament, people are forced to go out,” he added.
