The caretaker Balochistan government has urged the Balochistan National Party-Mengal to delay its long march, citing security concerns in the province.

“The BNP-M’s long march should not be held due to security concerns. The Balochistan government is very concerned about this,” the provincial spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.

The demand comes after the BNP-M announced that it would organise a long march from Wadh, Khuzdar district to Quetta on October 22 (Monday) which would be led by party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, to protest against the tense situation in Wadh.

At a press conference on October 17, the BNP-M leaders highlighted the deteriorating situation in Wadh over the past few months. They alleged that a deliberate attempt was made to create tensions in the Khuzdar district’s city.

The spokesperson stated that the protection of the people and the establishment of law and order was the responsibility of the provincial government.

“Peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right, but it is important to ensure that such activities do not endanger the safety and security of citizens,” he said and highlighted that such activities were already banned in the province due to security concerns.

In the statement, the spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable and safe environment for all residents of Balochistan and assured that the government was “committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the interests of the people.”

In an interview with Aaj News that was aired on the channel on Wednesday, BNP-M said that it was unlikely that the government would allow them to organise the long march on October 22 as the provincial government has imposed Section 144 – that bars gathering of more than five people – in several cities of Balochistan.

Mengal alleged that attempts were made to create tensions in Wadh and that such actions were being taken because the BNP had consistently represented Balochistan in the provincial and federal legislatures.

When asked, he said that the “decision-makers” did not seem to be in the mood to hold elections in January or February of next year.

He had alleged that Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti was running death squads under the patronage of the state.

“Everybody knows how many people have been killed and abducted by this death squad. At the moment, rockets fell near me where I am right now,” he had said.