Sardar Akhtar Mengal Barred from Traveling Abroad, Placed on PNIL Without Notice

Quetta, July 21, 2025 — Sardar Akhtar Mengal, President of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) and a prominent political figure, was offloaded from a Dubai-bound flight at Quetta International Airport on Sunday after immigration officials informed him that his name had been added to the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) — a temporary travel restriction mechanism used by Pakistani authorities.

Mengal was reportedly not notified in advance of the restriction, nor given any explanation at the airport. He was scheduled to travel to Dubai when immigration authorities stopped him moments before departure.

Mengal Reacts: “No Prior Notice or Explanation”
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mengal expressed his frustration:

“Today I was stopped at Quetta Airport from flying to Dubai. Airport officials informed me that my name is on the PNIL. This decision was made without my knowledge and without any clear reason.”

He added that such actions were unconstitutional and repressive, especially when taken without due process or transparency.

BNP Condemns Travel Ban as Political Targeting
The BNP strongly condemned the incident, labeling it an act of political victimisation and an attack on democratic values.

Party spokespersons and senior leaders issued strong statements:

Agha Hassan Baloch, BNP’s Central Information Secretary, said:

“This is a clear violation of Mr. Mengal’s constitutional right to freedom of movement. It is politically motivated and unacceptable in a democratic society.”

Sana Baloch, senior BNP leader, demanded accountability:

“Targeting political opposition and elected representatives is incompatible with constitutional democracy. We demand an immediate removal of Mr. Mengal’s name from PNIL and a full explanation from the authorities.”

No Official Explanation from Government
As of now, no official justification has been provided by the federal government or interior ministry regarding the inclusion of Mengal’s name on the PNIL.

The Provisional National Identification List is a temporary travel blacklist maintained by Pakistan’s immigration authorities, typically used to prevent individuals under investigation or suspicion from leaving the country. However, its opaque procedures and lack of judicial oversight have drawn widespread criticism in recent years, particularly from human rights and civil society groups.

A Broader Pattern?
This is not the first time Pakistani political leaders have faced travel restrictions without due process. Analysts say the move reflects increasing pressure on political dissenters, particularly those from opposition parties or Baloch nationalist circles.

The BNP has vowed to pursue legal and parliamentary action, and protests are expected if the government fails to provide a satisfactory explanation.