There are four major Baloch tribes in Balochistan: Marri, Bugti, Zehri, and Mengal. Over the past 75 years, the chieftains of these tribes have, at various times and in various ways, played a resistant role against the powerful figures and institutions of Pakistan. They have also maintained close ties with the authorities in Afghanistan.
These tribal chiefs often alternate between resistance and cooperation with Pakistan’s state institutions and decision-makers. Many have served in high positions in both Balochistan and the federal government. For example, Akbar Khan Bugti served as Balochistan’s Governor, Chief Minister, and a federal minister. Ataullah Mengal was also Chief Minister of Balochistan, as was his son, Akhtar Jan Mengal. Sanaullah Zehri was also appointed Chief Minister of Balochistan.
The relationship between Baloch chieftains and Pakistan’s central decision-making authorities is marked by a long history of conflict and reconciliation, fueled by both political and financial reasons. Some of these conflicts have existed since the founding of Pakistan and have often involved violence and bloodshed.
These conflicts have occasionally led to the imprisonment of several tribal leaders. While some alienated Baloch leaders have contributed to deteriorating conditions in Balochistan, foreign powers have also played a sinister role. Some disaffected Baloch citizens have also come forward, with the “Baloch Yakjehti Committee” being the latest example. Within this group, Dr. Mehrang Baloch’s activism has raised suspicions, as she focuses primarily on one agenda: the recovery of Balochistan’s missing persons.
Currently, there seems to be no respite for the rulers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from the turmoil in Balochistan. August 2024 was particularly bloody. Just as the tragic incident involving the killing of a dozen police officers by bandits in southern Punjab had barely faded, new deadly attacks occurred in Balochistan, targeting several Punjabi laborers and others. Multiple killings on August 26 in Musa Khel, Balochistan, shook the entire country.
These incidents were so severe that the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfaraz Bugti, and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, had to address the nation together. Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also rushed to Quetta, where he reportedly invited Akhtar Mengal to a special meeting.
However, Akhtar Mengal refused the Prime Minister’s invitation and did not attend the meeting. He explained his reasons in detail during a podcast, later published by the online newspaper “Balochistan Post.” His response was so harsh that it cannot be reproduced here.
On September 3, 2024, the leader of the Balochistan National Party (Mengal Group), Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, resigned from his National Assembly seat. This major news was widely reported across the media. The circumstances surrounding his resignation are highly sensitive and extraordinary. When Mengal announced his resignation outside the National Assembly, he was accompanied by Mehmood Khan Achakzai, a notable and unusual scene given that Achakzai has been trying to mediate between the government and the PTI.
Standing next to Achakzai, Mengal’s words during his resignation have now been etched into history: “I wanted to speak on the National Assembly floor, but the Speaker did not give me a chance. Today, I resign from the National Assembly. I regret that I could do nothing for my people. I have no confidence in the state of Pakistan, its President, or its Prime Minister.
“Our rulers should have convened a special parliamentary session on Balochistan. They can’t stand to see my and Achakzai’s faces. I have lost all confidence in the entire system. They show no interest in Balochistan’s issues. Whenever this topic is raised, it is blacked out. There is only a nominal government left in the country. Instead of this politics, I might as well open a snack shop. I apologize to my 65,000 voters who may be angry with me. I would have submitted my resignation in the Assembly today had they let me speak, but they didn’t. If this Assembly does not listen to us, what is the point of being a part of it? My resignation is a matter of conscience and will not be reversed. They have blocked all paths of return.”
Mengal’s longstanding grievances against multiple governments have now come to a head. His primary complaint is that leaders like Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and the founder of PTI failed to fulfill their promises. The same was true of the 16-month PDM government, which made many promises but delivered on none. Mengal was also displeased with the appointment of caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, stating that he was not consulted in this decision. For the past six months, the Shehbaz government reportedly had not treated him well, and the worsening situation in Balochistan further disheartened him. Mengal’s resignation should not be taken lightly, especially since it came just days before PTI’s planned rally on September 8, which has already put pressure on the government.
Indian media has exploited Mengal’s resignation in anti-Pakistan propaganda, which is disgraceful and condemnable. There is concern that anti-Pakistan and anti-Balochistan forces will also exploit his resignation. While some government figures have expressed regret over the resignation, it is unfortunate that those close to the President and Prime Minister made no special effort to reconcile with Mengal. The attention currently being given to appeasing Maulana Fazlur Rehman could have been directed, even partially, toward resolving Mengal’s grievances, potentially yielding positive outcomes.