Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) met Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal at Balochistan House in the federal capital on Thursday.

PTI leaders Naeemul Haque and Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind were part of the delegation meeting Mengal to seek support to form the government in the Centre. Sources said the PTI also invited Mengal for a one-on-one meeting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Mengal, who flew to Islamabad on Wednesday to meet the PTI leadership, said, “I am thankful to the PTI for extending us an invite to be part of the federal government.”

The BNP-M chief said he apprised the PTI delegation of issues faced by the people of Balochistan. “Till core issues are not resolved, Balochistan will not develop,” he said. Speaking about the demands he put forth, Mengal said, “We want missing persons to be recovered as well as implementation of CPEC.”

“If we are given a satisfactory response to our demands, then we are ready to support the PTI,” he asserted. “We will not blindly support anyone if a provincial chief minister is named without taking us into consideration,” he added.

Mengal said that he did not receive an invitation for the all-parties conference (APC). “JUI-F is an ally and we will sit together and decide whether to sit in the opposition benches or not,” he added.

PTI’s Sardar Rind said that Mengal’s demands will be presented to Imran Khan. “I am certain after Mengal’s meeting with Imran, both parties will work together,” he said. The BNP-M chief is also expected to meet leaders from different political parties including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad during his visit.

Published in Daily Times, August 3^rd 2018.