Sardar Akhtar Mengal. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal.
According to an official statement, Mengal had submitted his resignation to the National Assembly in September 2024. The President’s office has formally informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of the decision.
Subsequent actions relating to the vacant position will be carried out in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the deliberations of the National Assembly were suspended shortly after the start of the session due to lack of quorum.
Opposition member Junaid Akbar highlighted the quorum, prompting the president to order a recount to confirm the required number of lawmakers.
After the recount, it was discovered that the government had not guaranteed the minimum assistance necessary to continue the process. Afterwards, the president suspends the session until the quorum is complete.
Read: Balochistan has reached a point of no return: Mengal
Subsequently, the proceedings of the National Assembly resumed once the required quorum was completed, allowing the House to continue its legislative activities.
Earlier, Mengal criticized the government’s actions, saying that despite approaching the Supreme Court, delivering speeches in parliament and offering proposals in seminars, he and his party were labeled “traitors” while those who tried to divide the country faced no punishment.
Addressing a conference, Mengal said the February 8 elections created artificial leadership in Balochistan.
He cited cases such as that of Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, sentenced to 17 years for a tweet, contrasting it with what he described as the impunity of those who ruin the country.
He warned that Balochistan has reached a point of no return and held the State responsible for the situation.
