Sardar Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), announced his resignation from the National Assembly on Tuesday. Mengal, who was elected as an MNA from Khuzdar (NA-256) in the February 8 general elections, cited the deteriorating situation in Balochistan as the primary reason for his departure.
In a letter addressed to NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Mengal expressed that the “current situation in Balochistan has forced me to take this step.”
He lamented the consistent marginalization of his province, stating that the Assembly had failed to address the needs and grievances of Balochistan effectively.
Mengal’s letter criticized the lack of genuine representation for Balochistan and condemned the hostile response to attempts to voice concerns or protest against issues like enforced disappearances.
He accused the political system of stifling dissent and failing to deliver justice, adding that his presence in the Assembly no longer served any meaningful purpose for his constituents.
Outside Parliament, Mengal addressed the press, acknowledging that his decision might displease many voters but emphasized his belief that politicians have failed the nation. He criticized the judiciary and politicians alike, suggesting that politics had become a mere business for some.
Mengal also reflected on a recent meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, where he had expressed his willingness to leave politics if his role was deemed unnecessary. He joked that engaging in politics under these conditions was less appealing than running a small business.
In a poignant note, Mengal dedicated his resignation to his late father, BNP founder Sardar Attaullah Mengal, on the third anniversary of his death. He reaffirmed that the prevailing conditions in Balochistan made it untenable for him to continue serving in Parliament.
Although Mengal did not vote in this year’s prime ministerial election, he supported PTI-backed Mahmood Khan Achakzai in the presidential polls and chaired a meeting in April to launch the opposition movement Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP).
