‘Pushed to the wall’: Lawmaker from Pakistan’s Balochistan resigns following deadly attacks

Akhtar Mengal, a prominent politician from Pakistan’s Balochistan province, has resigned from the National Assembly, citing a consistent lack of representation for his province as the primary reason for his departure.

Mengal’s resignation follows a surge of violence in Balochistan, where over 50 people were killed last month during attacks by separatist militants on police stations, railway lines, and highways.

In response, security forces launched retaliatory operations. These attacks represent the most widespread violence in years by the separatists who have long been fighting for the secession of the resource-rich southwestern province.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), one of several separatist militant groups involved in the low-level insurgency for decades, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

A bus with passengers sitting on the roof with belongings, drives past a damaged vehicle, a day after separatist militants conducted deadly attacks, in Bolan district of Pakistan's province of Balochistan August 27, 2024. Reuters

Home to major China-led projects such as a port and a gold and copper mine, Balochistan remains Pakistan’s largest province by area, but is the most economically disadvantaged. It lags behind the rest of the country in nearly all social and economic indicators.

I have resigned as member of National Assembly. pic.twitter.com/wddfSgwwdE

— Akhtar Mengal (@sakhtarmengal) September 3, 2024

“The prevailing situation in Balochistan has compelled me to take this step. Our province has consistently been marginalized and ignored by this House. Each day, we are pushed further to the wall, leaving us with no choice but to reconsider our roles,” Mengal wrote in a letter addressed to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

“The lack of genuine representation in this Assembly for the people of Balochistan has left voices like mine unable to bring meaningful change.”

The veteran politician detailed the dire situation in Balochistan, noting that efforts to raise concerns and protest have often been met with hostility.

A paramilitary soldier frisks motorbike riders, a day after separatist militants conducted deadly attacks, on the outskirts of Quetta, Pakistan.Reuters

“It has become increasingly clear that our attempts to speak or protest are met with hostility, our people are either silenced, labeled as traitors, or worse, killed. Under such circumstances, I find it impossible to continue in this capacity, as my presence here no longer serves any purpose for the people I represent,” the letter stated.

Terrorist attacks in Pakistan

According to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), August 2024 saw 59 terrorist attacks across Pakistan, a rise from 38 the previous month.

Balochistan experienced 28 of these attacks, resulting in 57 deaths and 84 injuries. The BLA was behind most incidents, including a major attack on August 26 targeting security forces and infrastructure across seven districts.

Workers stand on damaged railway tracks as they repair them, a day after separatist militants conducted deadly attacks, in Bolan district of Pakistan's province of Balochistan, Pakistan August 27, 2024. Reuters