Below is an article published by Daily Times:

Balochistan National Party-Mengal President Sardar Akhtar Mengal has expressed his shock and dismay over the European Union Observers Mission for not sending EU poll observers to Balochistan for security reasons.

Briefing the media at his residence on Tuesday [9 April 2013], he said that the European Union should not only monitor the polls but also watch the rampant violation of human rights in this province. He said that the European Union had always played an important role in defending fundamental human rights of the people of the world and had even dispatched observers during the wars in the Middle East and elsewhere.

The BNP president termed the decision of not sending EU observers’ mission to Balochistan a matter of serious concern for the people of the province who, he said, are the victims of human right violations. “If the international community wants peace and amity in Balochistan then it should send the observers mission with double task to monitor free and fair elections and also watch violation of human rights of innocent and law abiding people,” Mengal told newsmen.

He said that only one force was responsible for the highly volatile situation in Balochistan, and free, fair and transparent elections would be possible only if the same force decides. The BNP president said that he does not expect to see free and fair elections under the given circumstances. “Political workers are not allowed to come out of their homes and participate in the electoral process for fear of being killed,” he charged.

Without political workers, election campaign is not possible, Mengal added. He said he and his party had plainly conveyed their reservations to the Election Commission of Pakistan about safety and security of poll participants.

“We, at the present moment, are keeping a close watch on the developments,” he said. Responding to a question, the BNP chief said he and his party had not deviated an inch from their previous political stand so that no one could level treason charge on them for participating in the electoral process.

He said security is the problem of all the political parties, but the other parties are not clearly and categorically expressing their concerns for unknown reasons.

Mengal denied that he had returned as a result of a political deal. “We are unaware about the science of political deals and our elders had not taught us such deals ever,” he declared.