NA Speaker Accepts Resignation of BNP-M Chief Akhtar Mengal

ٰISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has accepted the resignation of Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, sources told on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the resignation was accepted last night after a delay of several months and will be effective from the date it was originally submitted. During this period, Mengal continued to enjoy the perks of being a Member of the National Assembly, including possession of a flat in the Parliament Lodges.

Mengal, who was elected from Khuzdar’s NA-256 constituency in the February 2024 general elections, had tendered his resignation on September 3, 2024. He cited the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan and declared that he had lost confidence in the state.

He had announced his decision during a National Assembly session, expressing regret over not being able to deliver for the people of the province. He also criticised the system, saying the province was not being given the right to rule and that trust had eroded.

His resignation came after a series of deadly militant attacks in August 2024 that left more than 50 people dead, including 14 security personnel. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) had targeted civilians, police, and security forces in multiple incidents.

A government delegation led by Prime Minister’s aide Rana Sanaullah had met Mengal to address his grievances, but he remained firm on his decision.

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In July last year, Mengal was also offloaded from a Dubai-bound private airline flight from Quetta after being informed that his name was placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).

In 2025, he staged a 20-day sit-in at Lak Pass in Mastung against the arrests of Baloch rights activists and police action. His party also launched a long march from Wadh to Quetta on March 28, holding protests for nearly three weeks against the detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, demanding their release.