Saad Rafique says Akhtar Mengal’s resignation a bad omen for govt

Islamabad: Federal Minister and PML-N senior leader Khawaja Saad Rafique expressed his deep concern over the resignation of Sardar Akhtar Mengal from the National Assembly, saying it as a troubling development for the federation.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, he said that Mengal’s departure, as a respected Baloch politician who actively participated in the democratic and political process under the constitution, is alarming. He urged that this resignation be reconsidered and thoroughly discussed.

The PML-N leader highlighted the importance of engaging with prominent Baloch leaders such as Dr. Malik Baloch, Lashkari Raisani, Akhtar Mengal, Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, emphasizing that their voices must be taken seriously. He called for genuine support for those who adhere to constitutional and electoral politics in Balochistan.

Acknowledging that his views may not always be popular, Rafique firmly stated that the issues in Balochistan cannot be resolved through force alone, nor by relying solely on negotiations or favored political figures. He urged the ruling coalition and state institutions to come together to find a sustainable solution for the province.

The former minister also questioned why former allies have now shifted to opposing camps, warning that foreign powers are actively working to disrupt the progress of CPEC. He pointed to the resurgence of violence and terrorism as evidence of this interference, while expressing concern over the absence of a comprehensive political and military strategy to address these challenges.

Saad Rafique further stressed that while Pakistan’s unity will ultimately prevail, the ongoing unrest in Balochistan is a growing concern. He called for urgent efforts to find a remedy to the rising tide of hatred and division in the region.