Key issues: Speakers for convening APC to develop national narrative

KARACHI: A condolence reference was held at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Sunday under the auspices of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) to mark the fifth death anniversary of veteran nationalist leader Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal and the first anniversary of the martyrs of Shahwani Stadium Quetta tragedy.

Speakers called for convening an All-Parties Conference (APC) to develop a joint national narrative on key issues, including supremacy of the Constitution, strengthening of Parliament, provision of justice, resolution of problems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, restoration of peace, elimination of terrorism, provincial unity and rights over resources.

They stressed that problems should be resolved through dialogue rather than the use of force and declared that no decision regarding the creation of new provinces would be acceptable.

The speakers paid tribute to Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal for his political services and struggle.

The reference was addressed by BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman and opposition leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, JUI leader Maulana Rashid Mahmood Soomro, Sindh United Party president Syed Zain Shah, National Party leader Kabir Muhammad Shahi, PTI Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh, ANP leader Asghar Khan Achakzai, Azhar Jameel and other political and nationalist leaders.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai said that the existing four provinces were already facing difficulties and talk of creating new provinces was being raised. He called for an All-Parties Conference, saying that they wanted to live with freedom rather than as slaves.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said the Constitution had been framed before governments were formed and that the country could not function without the rule of law. He said it was time to come out in the field, adding that they stood against every oppressor and with the oppressed.

Asad Qaiser said the people of Balochistan had the right to their natural resources. “There is no gas in Sui, while gas is available in Lahore,” he remarked.

Syed Zain Shah said all political leaders had jointly framed the 1973 Constitution, but it was not being implemented in letter and spirit. He said the people of Balochistan had the right to control their own resources.

Salman Akram Raja said that under the Constitution, any division of a province required a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the concerned provincial assembly. He said they would not allow provincial rights to be undermined through a possible 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Kabir Muhammad Shahi said the Balochistan issue could be resolved through dialogue.

Maulana Rashid Mahmood Soomro said the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam would continue to stand with the people of Balochistan in their struggle for their rights.

At the conclusion of the reference, unanimous resolutions were adopted demanding an end to the use of force in Balochistan, release of all political prisoners, recovery of missing persons, restoration of border trade, withdrawal of the Mineral Act and implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision concerning Imran Khan in letter and spirit.

Other speakers expressed their resolve to continue the political struggle until the people were granted their fundamental rights.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026