Mengal meets Maryam, discusses PDM’s strategy

Published October 28, 2020
Balochistan National Party (Mengal) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Tuesday called on PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz at Jati Umra and talked about taking the 11-party Pakistan Democratic Alliance of the opposition forward to oust the PTI government. — File photo
Balochistan National Party (Mengal) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Tuesday called on PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz at Jati Umra and talked about taking the 11-party Pakistan Democratic Alliance of the opposition forward to oust the PTI government. — File photo

LAHORE: Balochistan National Party (Mengal) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Tuesday called on PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz at Jati Umra and talked about taking the 11-party Pakistan Democratic Alliance of the opposition forward to oust the PTI government.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Mengal said that those forces who were interfering in politics of the country should be pinpointed by name, adding that more interference by these forces was made in Balochistan than in Punjab.

He said that it was a good omen for democracy that now voices against such forces were being raised in Punjab also.

Mr Mengal said that the PDM’s protest rallies would continue and soon there would be a ‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar’. “Those forces who brought Imran Khan to power are themselves not satisfied with Mr Khan’s handling of government affairs,” he said, adding that Mr Khan did not have more powers than that of launching metro bus projects.

In reply to a question whether all PDM parties were supporting PML-N’s leader Nawaz Sharif’s narrative against the Establishment’s interference in politics, he said it was a new narrative of Mr Sharif, but this was the BNP-M’s old narrative.

In reply to another question, he said that all political parties in Balochistan were supporting the BNP-M on the issue of missing people.

Mr Mengal criticised the government for labelling the PDM of following the Indian agenda.

“The government’s allegation that the opposition was following the Indian agenda was no more acceptable to the masses because this is an old mantra as the people have now themselves realised who is doing what in the country,” Mr Mengal said.

When asked why he left the PTI government, he said because the BNP-M’s legitimate demands were not fulfilled.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...