ISLAMABAD: Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) Chairman Akhtar Mengal expressed his dissatisfaction with the appointment of Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar as the interim prime minister, asserting that such choices were creating “greater distance” between his party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
In a letter addressed to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Mengal conveyed, “You have designated an individual as the caretaker prime minister whose appointment has shut the doors of politics for us.”
He continued, “Such decisions are accentuating the gap between us and you.”
Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar was selected as interim PM following discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition Raja Riaz on August 12. Kakar, a representative of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), emerged as a surprise choice from Balochistan, prompting Mengal’s response.
Mengal’s dissatisfaction over collaboration with the military instead of politicians
Meanwhile, Mengal’s letter further expressed dissatisfaction with the PML-N’s inclination to seek collaboration with the military instead of engaging politicians.
“A solution is being sought by consulting the establishment instead of politicians,” he wrote, highlighting that the “oppressions” of military-led administrations from General Ayub to General Musharraf were still remembered.
Additionally, Mengal accused the PML-N of “overlooking” the “conspiracies and unconstitutional” actions of the former military ruler and president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, as well as former chief of army staff General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.
He also voiced objections to certain decisions made by the outgoing government, such as the construction of the Pak-China Gwadar University in Lahore instead of Balochistan, and the renaming of the Gwadar airport after Feroz Khan Noon, a former prime minister.
Furthermore, Mengal highlighted disparities in the recent census, pointing out that the population of Balochistan was recorded as 7.3 million fewer people compared to the previous census, which could impact upcoming elections.
Mengal emphasized in his letter, “Neglecting allies in significant decisions will only foster mistrust.”
It should be noted that other political parties have also raised concerns regarding the latest census.
