CM urges respect for constitutional limits amid BNP protest
He expressed these views during a meeting with Nawabzada Mir Israrullah Khan Zehri and Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai at the Chief Minister's Secretariat on Monday.
The two Baloch nationalist leaders called on the CM to pave the way for a negotiated settlement regarding the ongoing long march of BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal.
The meeting focused on the ongoing protest by the Balochistan National Party (Mengal), as well as the overall political situation in the province.
CM Bugti briefed the two leaders on the government's political and administrative efforts to resolve the matter.
He revealed that three rounds of dialogue had already been held with BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
"Out of the three demands presented by him, one has been accepted by the government," he said, adding that despite the government's serious efforts to reach a political resolution, the response from the other side remained non-cooperative, leading to a continued deadlock.
The chief minister, along with Zehri and Bangulzai, stressed the importance of joint efforts for lasting peace in Balochistan. They also agreed to continue political dialogue and engagement to address issues.
Meanwhile, a shutter-down strike was observed in various parts of Balochistan on the call of Balochistan National Party in solidarity with the BNP protest.
The BNP, led by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, has been staging a sit-in in the Lupas area of Quetta for over a week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Poppy cultivation
Listen to article The recent debate in the Balochistan Assembly over the increasing cultivation of poppy in the province has, once again, brought to light an uncomfortable but necessary conversation. Can poppy be harnessed as a legitimate source of revenue? While the knee-jerk reaction is often to denounce poppy due to its association with illicit drugs, it is time to view the issue through a pragmatic and economically informed lens. With Afghanistan's strict ban on opium cultivation under the Taliban, the regional dynamics of poppy production have shifted. Farmers across the Baloch and Pashtun belt of Pakistan - facing poverty and limited state support ùare increasingly turning to poppy as a high-value cash crop. Instead of allowing this trade to operate in the shadows, Pakistan should explore regulated cultivation of poppy for medicinal and pharmaceutical use, thereby generating revenue and curbing illegal trafficking. Globally, countries like India, Turkey and Australia have long-established state-regulated systems for cultivating opium poppies for the production of painkillers such as morphine and codeine. These systems prove that poppy can be grown responsibly and legally under strict government oversight. There is no reason Pakistan, with proper legislation and institutional support, cannot follow a similar path. The potential export market to pharmaceuticals is massive. Moreover, a state-regulated poppy economy could draw people away from trafficking networks, allowing the government to exert more control over borderlands where its writ is already weak. The revenue generated can be redirected into rural development - precisely in the areas most affected by instability. To be clear, this is not a call for reckless liberalisation. Any policy to regulate poppy must be accompanied by ironclad monitoring mechanisms and a clear distinction between legitimate pharmaceutical production and narcotics trafficking. But to ignore the economic potential of poppy is to ignore a potential solution.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
IHC summons DIG, dy commissioner over plea against road closure
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), Thursday, directed deputy inspector general (DIG) of Police (Operations) and deputy commissioner Islamabad to appear before the court in person in response to a petition filed against closure of a road due to Baloch protestors. A single bench of Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar heard a petition of an owner of a petrol pump at F-6 who is aggrieved. He submitted due to continuing protest by Baloch in front of the press club. He argued that protests be managed that roads be opened so that business may not suffer. The counsel for the petitioner contended that his client runs a fuel station near National Press Club (NPC), located in Sector F-6/1, Islamabad and due to ongoing and indefinite protests in the area, several roads have been closed that have severely impacted the fuel station's operations. He added that the employees, suppliers, and even emergency vehicles are unable to access the premises. As a result, the counsel said the petitioner's business has become unsustainable and the indefinite access restrictions violate the petitioner's fundamental right of doing business protected by the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973. He added that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right under Article 16 of the Constitution, but, it cannot be exercised in a way that completely blocks public movement and effects uninvolved citizens and businesses. He also argued that it is the duty of the administration to regulate protests and ensure that traffic flows freely and access to both public and private properties is maintained and prolonged and unregulated blockades reflects a failure of this responsibility. After hearing the arguments, the IHC chief justice directed deputy inspector general of police (operations) Islamabad and deputy commissioner Islamabad to appear in person and assist this court as to what steps have been taken so far to address the matter. The case is adjourned until August 4. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Balochistan March will reach Islamabad if talks fail: JI chief
LAHORE: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has said that the ongoing erosion of democratic values in the country is deeply alarming, warning that the state's persistent reliance on force to address political and constitutional issues only fuels instability. Addressing participants of the 'Haq Do Balochistan Ko Long March' outside the Lahore Press Club on Thursday, he stated that to prevent a major confrontation and avoid sending a negative message from Punjab to Balochistan, Jamaat-e-Islami opted for negotiations. However, he made it clear that if the federal government's negotiating committee fails to accept the demands of the march, he will personally join Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman in leading the caravan to Islamabad, accompanied by JI workers and supporters from across Punjab. Talking to reporters; Rehman urged the ruling elite to end injustice against the people of Balochistan, form a commission to address the issue of missing persons, and recognize the rightful claim of the province's people over their natural resources and minerals. He demanded the opening of border trade with Iran and called on the government to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project without succumbing to U.S. pressure. He criticized the hypocrisy of powerful people that preach constitutionalism while themselves violating the Constitution. 'Those responsible for extrajudicial killings cannot teach others about the rule of law,' he said. 'Stop insulting the people of Balochistan in the name of security. Give respect to the Baloch. Rulers have no authority to distribute certificates of patriotism or treason.' JI Secretary General Ameerul Azeem and JI Balochistan Chief Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman also addressed the gathering. Other prominent leaders present included JI Punjab (Central) chief Javed Kasuri, JI Lahore head Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, Central Information Secretary Shakeel Turabi, and several others. Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami's Women's Wing also joined the sit-in in solidarity, with Secretary General Dr. Humaira Tariq addressing the crowd. Criticizing the Punjab government's handling of the Long March, Rehman highlighted the stark contrast between the warm reception of the march by ordinary citizens from Fort Munro to Lahore, and the state's attempts to block a peaceful, democratic protest. 'Jamaat-e-Islami chose the path of dialogue to prevent any negative fallout, but dismantling police blockades would not have been difficult for us,' he said. 'Our history testifies that we have never surrendered before tyranny.' He added that despite the government's unparalleled incompetence, Jamaat-e-Islami decided to avoid exposing them further for the sake of national unity. 'For us, Pakistan is like a mosque — sacred and indivisible. We will not allow harm to come to it under any circumstances.' In response to a question; Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman called on the federal government to fulfill its commitment, form the promised committee, and accept the legitimate demands of the march. He emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami will never compromise on the constitutional and democratic rights of the people. Expressing satisfaction over the growing awareness, he said the very presence of Baloch citizens in Lahore raising their voice is the result of Jamaat-e-Islami's struggle. He announced that in November, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman will address a massive gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan during the Jamaat's All Pakistan Ijtema. He said the Form-47 rulers — representing elite impositions — have been thrust upon both Punjab and Balochistan. 'This systematic suppression of democratic norms must end. Problems solved through force don't bring peace — they breed resistance.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
