Senator Qasim Roonjho from the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) has resigned from the Senate after defying his party’s stance on constitutional amendments.
Sources confirm that Roonjho, a senior BNP-M senator, submitted his resignation to the Senate secretary. His resignation follows his decision to vote in favor of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, along with fellow party senator Naseema Ehsan. This move went against the official party line.
Qasim Roonjho was also the parliamentary leader of BNP-Mengal in the Senate. Following their vote, party chief Akhtar Mengal demanded both senators resign from their positions in the Upper House.
Earlier, Sajid Tareen, acting president of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), accused government officials of abducting Senator Roonjho, along with his son and driver. He also claimed that the husband and son of Senator Naseema Ehsan had been similarly taken.
Lawyers’ organizations in Balochistan have opposed the constitutional amendments, accusing the establishment of being behind these actions. They argue that the alleged “abductions” wouldn’t happen if there was no external influence.
BNP-M leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal had recently resigned from the National Assembly in protest, leaving the party with only two senators.
