ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has formally accepted the resignation of Balochistan National Party Mengal (BNP M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal ending a prolonged delay of more than 17 months in finalising his departure from parliament.
Akhtar Mengal who was elected from constituency NA 256 (Khuzdar) in the February 2024 general elections had submitted his resignation on September 3 2024. At the time, he cited worsening security conditions in Balochistan and the continued political marginalisation of the province as reasons for stepping down.
According to the Speaker’s Office the resignation will take effect retrospectively from the original date of submission. As a result Mengal may be asked to return the salaries and allowances he received after September 2024. The National Assembly Secretariat has also notified the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which is expected to announce the schedule for a by election on the now vacant Khuzdar seat.
Due to the delay in acceptance uncertainty had surrounded the status of the seat and Mengal continued to enjoy parliamentary privileges during the intervening period.
Mengal’s exit removes a prominent nationalist voice from the federal legislature at a time when Balochistan continues to face political unrest and security challenges.
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