Mengal decries denial of reserved seats

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the president of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal), on Tuesday decried the political developments in the wake of general elections, especially the denial of reserved seats in the National Assembly, saying someone else was reaping the fruits of someone else's hard work. The BNP chief reflected on the ongoing political scenario, remarking that this election marked not his first but the 12th. "New things come up in every election.” He pointed out that those who were currently in the government had previously been allies, and those in the opposition had also shared friendly relationships. Expressing disillusionment with the prospect of finding a solution to Balochistan's problems, Mengal commented: "I have no hope from anyone who can cure the problems and difficulties of Balochistan." Read also: PML-N, PPP win most of reserved seats in Balochistan He said if there was a third place in the National Assembly, he would have occupied it. Mengal asserted his stance on the significance of reserved seats, labelling the denial of a reserved seat as abuse. The BNP chief asserted that elected individuals had the rightful claim to reserved seats, and their participation in the inaugural session of the National Assembly should be acknowledged. Highlighting a growing concern, Mengal stated: "The right to vote is being taken away from them." He raised the possibility that one of the reserved seat holders might contend for the positions of speaker, deputy speaker, or even prime minister, emphasising that depriving them of this right would be unjust.