ISLAMABAD:
Anwarul Haq Kakar’s appointment as interim PM-designate by the BAP Senate has “deepened the rift” between the PML-N and its coalition partner BNP-M, according to a letter written by BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal to former ruling party supremo Nawaz Sharif on Sunday via Twitter. Mengal bemoans the actions of politicians seeking the support of the security establishment to solve every problem facing the country.
In his letter, the BNP-M leader expressed concern that the establishment’s consultation was dependent upon rather than political conversations with the partnered parties.
He mentioned a letter he had written to Nawaz on July 22, 2023, expecting things to improve by now.
What surprised him, he wrote to the three-time prime minister, was that the people of Pakistan had not learned anything from their tribulations. “Mian Sahib, what has befallen us might be our fate.
From Gen. Ayub to Gen. (ret.) Pervez (Musharraf), we will never forget the crimes committed in the name of the military. In reference to the current situation in Balochistan, Mengal continued, “But your party forgets too quickly the conspiracies and unconstitutional actions of Musharraf and (former army chief Gen (ret’d) Qamar Javed) Bajwa.”
The leader of the BNP-M went on to say that by passing laws behind closed doors without consulting allies, “you are once again weakening democratic institutions and strengthening undemocratic powers.”
Mengal forewarned Nawaz that laws and amendments rushed through parliament in recent days would likely be used against him in the future since they were in violation of human rights.
“[We know] because we, the residents of Balochistan, have not been considered as human beings since day one,” he emphasized.
He went on to say that the animosity between larger and smaller provinces would only grow if choices were made without the support of friends.
The leader of the BNP-M raised concerns about the CPEC, asking how it will help the people of Balochistan.
Mengal recalled the PTI’s 2018 and the PML-N’s 2022 terms in office, writing that laws were enacted and broken during both times to secure their interests and pave the way for their eventual rule.
However, he added, it was allegedly illegal for the people of Balochistan to call for missing persons.
The leader of the BNP-M lamented that students were not taught the true tale of Pakistan’s 76 years of independence. He went on to say that if such were the case, lessons may have been drawn from the past. On the other hand, “now we and you are answerable to history and will remain so,” he continued.
According to Mengal, Nawaz’s choice to designate Kakar as interim premier has “created further distance between the two” and could mean the end of Kakar’s political career.
Before teaming up with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to topple former prime minister Imran Khan’s administration, the BNP-M had an alliance with the PTI in 2018, when it was in power.
The BNP-M has been critical of the PML-N-led coalition’s policies since Imran’s removal in April 2022 via a no-confidence vote, and Mengal has hinted at leaving the government on multiple times.
