March 28, 2025
Staff Report
LAHORE
Baloch nationalist leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal began his rally of thousands from Wadh to Quetta, with thousands of supporters from the Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) in tow to cover the 400 kilometer journey. The march was welcomed by hundreds of women and children along the way with flowers.
Hundreds of vehicles crawled the roads from Mengal’s home town of Wadh (Khuzdar district) towards Quetta where they will gather to protest the arrest and mistreatment of leaders from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) especially organizer Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen, and other women activists by the authorities.
Balochistan’s opposition parties including the nationalist parties, and civil society groups have expressed their support for BNP’s long march, while the Baloch Yakjehti Committee has also supported it. In Quetta, Pashtun nationalist parties have announced a warm welcome from their side as the marchers arrive in Quetta.
‘No matter what..’
Upon reaching Khuzdar, BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal addressed the participants in a fiery speech, saying, “We have been saying from day one that injustices are being committed against us. Now, the government wants to enforce its authority by oppressing Baloch women. It is the state’s responsibility to fight armed groups, not to oppress unarmed women. The government must immediately release the detained women.”
Mengal expressed his resolve not to back down, despite moves to stop the march.
“Obstacles were placed in our path, spikes were laid on the road to stop vehicles, but we have overcome all hurdles and will reach Quetta no matter what.”
He called for unity and resistance.
“No matter who our leader is, our goal is the same—to stand for Balochistan,” he reiterated. “If we do not fight this battle today, we will face even greater difficulties; the oppression of our women and girls will continue. I have raised this issue on every political platform, but no political solution has been offered. The injustice against our youth and the dishonoring of our elders remain ongoing. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen are not just two women – they represent the entire Baloch nation. Will their arrests end terrorism?”
Obstacles along the way
Separately in a tweet, Sardar Akhtar Mengal condemned attempts to disrupt the peaceful long march, calling them “shameful and disgraceful.”
He said that they would still continue forward with dignity and determination.
“Spikes were placed on the road near Pir Umar in Khuzdar to obstruct our march. This not only endangers the lives of peaceful protesters but also exposes the desperation and cowardice of those trying to silence our movement,” he said. “Such ridiculous government decisions are laughable. No obstacles will deter us; our resolve remains unshaken.”
In an official statement, the BNP declared that they had overcome the first hurdle. The main highway was blocked with trucks, but they were unsuccessful in stopping the march. Plainclothes law enforcement personnel tried to provoke the protesters along the way, but the march remained peaceful. In an attempt to suppress the movement, all petrol pumps from Khuzdar to Quetta have been shut down, and mobile networks have been completely suspended for the fourth consecutive day. Despite these challenges, people have taken to the streets, and their spirit and resilience remain unbreakable.
Meanwhile, BYC members Mahzeb Baloch and Fauzia Baloch were arrested in Hub district yesterday but were released after being presented in court.
However, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Bebow Baloch, and other women remain detained in Quetta District Jail under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. BYC’s central leader Sammi Deen Baloch is also being held in Karachi Central Jail under the same charges. Consistently protests are being held across Balochistan, demanding the release of BYC activists arrested in the province and in Karachi, including Lala Wahab, Bebarg Baloch, and others.