Govt threatens arrest if Akhtar Mengal enters Quetta
Police vehicles are parked outside the Lakpass Tunnel as authorities block the entrance with shipping containers during a sit-in protest by the BNP-M on the outskirts of Quetta. Photo: AFP
A day after warning Sardar Akhtar Mengal's BNP against entering the red zone of the provincial capital as part of its ongoing protest, the provincial government announced on Sunday that it would arrest the BNP chief if he attempted to enter Quetta.
Mengal, leading the BNP's long march, had vowed to reach Quetta on April 6 (Sunday) to protest against the alleged enforced disappearances of political workers in Balochistan and the arrest of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch.
According to the provincial government, two rounds of talks were held with BNP leadership, during which they were asked to hold their protest at Quetta's Shahwani Stadium. However, the party had refused, and insisted on marching to the city's red zone.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the scheduled protest on Saturday, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said strict legal action will be taken against any violations of the law.
"The government is showing restraint, but any attempt to breach Section 144 or provoke unrest will be met with a firm response," Rind had said.
Meanwhile, the administration placed containers on entry routes and stationed a large number of security forces personnel to effectively prevent BNP leaders and workers from entering the city.
On Sunday, Rind took to social media platform X, warning that BNP chief Akhtar Mengal would be arrested if he attempted to enter Quetta.
"The administration informed Mengal at 6:00 am about the orders issued under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), but he refused to surrender. If he enters Quetta, they will be arrested," Rind wrote, adding that law enforcement personnel had been deployed to enforce order.
The government also criticized the party's call to block national highways, describing it as an attempt to disrupt daily life and increase public suffering. Shahid Rind said clear instructions had been issued to all district administrations that no highway would be allowed to be closed.
Meanwhile, residents across Balochistan expressed concerns over possible travel disruptions. In a separate post, the BNP shared a video claiming that law enforcement agencies had fired shells at a gathering of party workers at Quetta's Sona Khan Chowk.
White smoke was seen rising in the distance in the footage shared online.
Earlier, Mengal had also posted on X, stating that he and his supporters were surrounded by security forces at Lak Pass and that a major operation seemed imminent.
In response, the BNP announced protests across the province, alleging that the current government had launched a crackdown on its leaders and workers.
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