Sardar Akhtar Mengal. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Akhtar Mengal, chief of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M).
According to an official statement, Mengal had submitted his resignation from the National Assembly in September 2024. The speaker’s office has formally informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of the decision.
Further proceedings regarding the vacant seat will be carried out in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, proceedings of the National Assembly were suspended shortly after the session began due to a lack of quorum.
Opposition member Junaid Akbar pointed out the quorum, prompting the speaker to order a headcount to confirm the required number of lawmakers.
After the count, it was found that the government had failed to ensure the minimum attendance necessary to continue proceedings. The speaker subsequently suspended the sitting until the quorum is completed.
Read: Balochistan has reached point of no return: Mengal
Later, the proceedings of the National Assembly resumed after the required quorum was completed, allowing the House to continue its legislative business.
Earlier, Mengal criticised the government’s actions, saying that despite approaching the Supreme Court, delivering speeches in parliament and offering proposals in seminars, he and his party were labelled as “traitors,” while those attempting to divide the country faced no punishment.
Addressing a conference, Mengal said the Feb 8 elections created an artificial leadership in Balochistan.
He cited cases like Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, sentenced to 17 years over a tweet, contrasting it with what he described as the impunity of those breaking the country.
He warned that Balochistan has reached a point of no return and held the state responsible for the situation.
