BNP-M announces strike over Zehri incident

KHUZDAR: Balochistan Natio­nal Party (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal on Saturday announced a shutter-down strike across Balochistan on June 10, condemning the June 2 incident in Zehri in which the party’s district vice-president was shot dead.

Speaking at a press conference here alongside senior BNP-M leaders, Mr Mengal said the killing of the party’s district vice-president, Sardarzada Khalil Ahmed Musiani, and the arrest of several members of the Musiani family represented a grave violation of both political and tribal traditions.

He alleged that security personnel raided the residence of tribal elder and BNP-M leader Sardar Nasir Ahmed Musiani, violated the sanctity of the home, assaulted family members, and shot his son in front of him. He later died after allegedly being denied timely medical treatment.

“Authorities claim that peace prevails in Balochistan. Is this their idea of peace… that a son is killed in front of his father and family members are not even allowed to attend his funeral?” Mr Mengal questioned.

Mengal slams killing of party leader, arrest of family members

He said the BNP-M’s central committee had extensively discussed the Zehri incident and described it as part of a broader pattern of political pressure against the party.

According to Mr Mengal, BNP-M leaders and workers had faced raids, arrests and harassment under successive governments and administrations.

He further alleged that several members of the Musiani family were taken into custody and rem­ain detained. He expressed concern for their safety and demanded their immediate release.

He criticised the authorities for allegedly preventing relatives from attending funeral rites and warned that further cases could be registered against those already detained.

The BNP-M chief also referred to ongoing displacement efforts in pa­­r­­­ts of Balochistan, saying residents were being asked to leave their homes, farms and businesses without any clear resettlement plan.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026