Political Tensions Rise: BNP Senators Allegedly Abducted Amidst Pakistan's Constitutional Amendment Talks

Akhtar Mengal, BNP leader, alleges abduction of party senators and their families in Pakistan, halting constitutional talks. He condemns lack of transparency and external influences in the amendment process, amidst political meetings and potential consensus with PTI and JUI-F on the 26th Amendment.

Akhtar Mengal, prominent leader of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), has raised serious allegations regarding the abduction of two of his party's senators and their families. Mengal has declared that he will withdraw his support for the ongoing constitutional amendment talks in Pakistan until these members are safely returned, according to a report by the Express Tribune.

Speaking to reporters outside the residence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad, Mengal voiced his displeasure with the government's handling of the situation, questioning the haste in pushing constitutional amendments without sufficient transparency. He claimed that the family of a female senator was held hostage to compel her attendance at a luncheon with the Prime Minister.

Mengal decried the threats and intimidation against parliamentarians and their families as unacceptable, labeling it a disrespect to democratic values. He also criticized the lack of transparency around the proposed constitutional changes, calling it a threat to democracy and highlighting concerns over external influences, as reported by the Express Tribune.

The BNP leader stated that his party plans to liaise with the opposition alliance on the amendments, firmly opposing any constitutional changes imposed under duress. Meanwhile, a delegation from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, engaged in further discussions with Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the proposed amendments. This delegation included key figures such as Barrister Salman Akram Raja, Asad Qaiser, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, and Hamid Raza, chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council.

During these discussions, detailed conversations unfolded on the ongoing constitutional reforms, amidst a series of intensified political consultations involving other leaders like Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who also held separate talks with Fazlur Rehman on the issue, the Express Tribune reported.

After previous discussions, Barrister Gohar announced an imminent consensus with JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, with a final declaration anticipated following consultations with PTI's founder, Imran Khan. Gohar explained to the media that PTI and its allies, including the JUI-F chief, met to deliberate over the constitutional amendments, revealing a strong likelihood of reaching an agreement, reinforced by Friday's meeting outcomes. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)