Quetta (Monitoring Desk) According to a statement issued by the central spokesperson of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), authorities have been detaining party workers in various cities to halt the Quetta Long March.
Led by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the BNP’s long march is currently holding a sit-in near Lukpass Tunnel, outside Quetta. The government has erected barriers to prevent the march from entering the city.
The spokesperson said the long march, which originated from Wadh, is now approaching Quetta, but the provincial government has blocked entry into the capital.
In response, the BNP has announced a strike and protest demonstrations across Balochistan, while party workers have begun sit-ins in various cities.
The spokesperson added that efforts to stop the long march are ongoing. In the Sona Khan area of Quetta, over twenty workers were arrested for staging a protest. In Sibi, police arrested several local leaders, including District Senior Vice President Gul Rehman Marri, General Secretary Malik Sultan, Dhapal Maheegir, Secretary Hameedullah Baloch, Musa Khan, Unit Secretary Shah Mohammad Hanbhi, and others.
It is noteworthy that after failed negotiations, the Balochistan government announced the possible arrest of Sardar Akhtar Mengal if he tries to enter Quetta. In reaction, BNP has called for province-wide protests.
To stop the long march, Section 144 has been imposed in several cities including Gwadar, and roads from Nushki to Quetta have been blocked by police.
