Balochistan National Party (Mengal) had called for a shutter-down strike across Balochistan on Tuesday to show solidarity with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and Mah Rang Lango. However, the people of Balochistan largely rejected the strike.
Akhtar Mengal, who claims to be a champion of Baloch rights, is now facing serious allegations of corruption and unexplained wealth accumulation. His financial assets have seen a significant surge over the past few years.
According to asset declarations, in 2020, Mengal owned agricultural land in Khuzdar’s Jatoni, PS-35, and Wadh Wadha, but their value was not specified. However, by 2024, these properties were estimated at Rs. 10 million. Similarly, 300 acres of land in Hub’s Sakran Road, registered under his son Gargain’s name, increased in value from Rs. 1.5 million in 2020 to Rs. 25.2 million in 2024.
His business assets also grew exponentially, rising from Rs. 2 million in 2020 to Rs. 21.5 million in 2024. His wife’s non-commercial, industrial, and residential properties in Chagai jumped from Rs. 450,000 in 2020 to Rs. 20 million in 2024.
Mengal's offshore assets have also raised concerns. In 2020, he declared a Dubai apartment worth Rs. 11.95 million, which has now surged to Rs. 286.95 million in 2024. Additionally, an advance-paid apartment worth Rs. 8 million in 2020 is now valued at Rs. 50 million.
His total declared assets were Rs. 50.32 million in 2020, but by 2024, they skyrocketed to Rs. 361.79 million, reflecting an increase of Rs. 311.46 million.
Undisclosed Wealth and Overseas Investments
Sources claim Mengal has undisclosed businesses and properties in the UK and Dubai, including a hotel in Britain and a trading company in Dubai. He allegedly owns an apartment in Diamond Mall & Residency, Islamabad. A bungalow in Manghopir, Karachi. A house in Khayaban-e-Shamsheer, Karachi. A residence near Quetta Railway Station. A house in Wadh, Khuzdar and 200 shops in Shah Noorani, Khuzdar.
Additionally, he has stakes in Copper Konta, Celine Exports, and AKA Motors, which he has not declared.
Political Opportunism and Contradictions
Mengal’s political career has been full of contradictions. Despite presenting himself as an advocate for Baloch rights, his alliances with federal governments contradict his stance. He has partnered with PPP in 2008, PML-N in 2013, PTI in 2018 and PDM in 2022. He joined the 2024 federal government but later resigned.
Despite acquiring profitable mining contracts, Mengal enjoys a luxurious lifestyle in Dubai and Islamabad, while the common people of Balochistan remain deprived of basic facilities. While he accuses the federal government of enforced disappearances, he has done little beyond rhetorical speeches on the issue.
Links to Militancy and Hypocrisy
Mengal's brother, Javed Mengal, leads the banned militant group "Lashkar-e-Balochistan," which has been linked to multiple bomb attacks in the province.
Ironically, Mengal's own constituency lacks basic schools, while his children study abroad—a stark example of his double standards and how he exploits the issue of Baloch rights for personal political gain.
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