Islamabad:

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Mian Rauf Atta has called on the federal and provincial governments to form a fully empowered committee to hold negotiations with Balochistan National Party-Mengal (GDP-M) Chief Akhtar Mengal.

Last Friday, GDP-M announced a long march from WADH to Quetta to protest against arrests by Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders and activists, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, as well as police crashes on their sit-in in Quetta. Sammi was released on Tuesday.

An official statement was issued about the meeting between SCBA president and GDP-M chief, who took place at a remote place in the Mastung district.

According to the SCBA Declaration, the GDP M presented, which is involved in a protest movement, its attitude, and claimed that their fight and protest are constitutionally justified.

During the meeting, Mengal revealed that a committee from the Balochistan Government had approached him. In response, GDP-M made three important requirements, including the release of all prisoners held under MPO and withdrawal of the related review as made by the SINDH government.

GDP-M sought permission to hold protests or sit-ins within a designated area that fell within the red zone. It further stated that if these requirements are not met, GDP-MS was ready for the court’s arrest.

According to the statement, the GDP M clarified that if their requirements were not met within a day or two, they would continue with their planned protest march against the red zone.

The SCBA president confirmed that the right to peaceful assembly, protest, freedom of expression and movement is fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The statement also noted that both sides agreed that dialogue, negotiations and democratic processes are the only viable solutions to GDP-M’s concerns and the broader questions in Balochistan.

Separately, the SCBA president met with former Balochistan chief minister Dr. Abdul Malik to discuss the province’s urgent questions. Senator Mir Kabir Muhammad Shahi was also present during the meeting.

According to a SCBA declaration, the meeting was held in connection with the efforts to unite all national political parties in tackling Balochistan’s ongoing challenges. The discussions focused on formulating a long -term solution to the province’s questions.

Both sides agreed that border management and fair distribution of resources are critical provincial affairs. However, they emphasized that these concerns should not take precedence for public security and well -being for the citizens of Balochistan.

The declaration expressed concern about the “lack of seriousness shown by mainstream political parties” regarding the questions of Balochistan.