ISLAMABAD: Days after Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal was reportedly expelled from the Senate gallery ahead of a vote on the 26th Amendment, Islamabad police filed a terrorism case on Thursday against Mengal and several others for allegedly entering the Senate premises and clashing with security personnel.
BNP leader Akhtar Hussain Langove was also arrested in connection with the case, according to Mengal. In a statement on ‘X’, Mengal alleged that Langove, a former MPA and BNP’s finance secretary, was detained by police and intelligence agencies in Islamabad.
The FIR, registered at the Secretariat police station, included Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act along with Sections 506ii, 458, 186, 353, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Senate Secretariat Joint Secretary Jamil Ahmed Khoso filed the complaint.
In addition to Mengal, others named in the FIR were Ahmed Nawaz, Mir Jehanzeb Mengal, Akhtar Hussain Langove, Shafi Mohammad, and Shafiq.
According to the FIR, on October 20, these individuals, identified as unauthorized, attempted to enter the Senate galleries and lobbies without permission. They were reportedly accompanying Akhtar Mengal, and when Senate security tried to block their entry, a scuffle ensued, during which the group allegedly pushed security personnel stationed in the Senate hall.
The FIR also stated that some of them were armed. “Action against the named individuals is required as per the law,” it added.
Before the FIR, on October 17, the police had raided Mengal’s residence at the Parliament Lodges, coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Islamabad. The raid occurred three days before the vote on the amendment bill.
The police later explained on their official ‘X’ account that the raid was part of a security audit for the SCO Summit, as international delegates were still present in Islamabad. They claimed security had been heightened to address concerns. A police officer revealed that acting BNP president Sajid Tareen was found at Mengal’s residence and was informed that the raid was based on an intelligence report about the potential presence of suspects.
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