Balochistan opposition parties demand end to military operations in the province

QUETTA: The opposition parties of Balochistan have demanded an immediate end to military operations in Balochistan, and release of all the arrested polity, including such major leaders as Sardar Akhtar Mengal and others.

The biggest rally in the connection was held outside Quetta press club, in the courtyard of City government building on Sunday, whence the chairman of National Party, Dr. Abdul Hayee Baloch berated the government for its discrimination and brutalities, in all Country and urged the masses to come out in a violent agitation against the regime.

The Provincial president of PPPP, Nawabzada Haji Mir Lashkari Raessani also addressed the rally, and said that the masses of Pakistan and Balochistan were currently passing through some really testing phases, and urged to combat these elements, who would not vouch for a democratic option voluntarily, in an organized manner.

He accused the government of destroying the "tribal culture of the Province" , and resorting to such anti steps as stripping the flags of opposition parties during the visit of PML(Q) president Chaudhry Shujaat at Naseerabad , and decorating the killers of Akbar Bugti, and currently resorting to "polluting the minds of locals".

ANP’s Provincial president Abdul Wali Kakar said that Baloch masses were way past the "redundant need of Provincial Autonomy", and were well on their way to "achieve sovereignty and control over their natural resources".

He said that it should be known to establishment, Army and Punjab that they would gain nothing by the arrest of Akhtar Mengal as it would merely breed another wave of feverish youth.

He also condemned the derogatory treatment being meted to Akhtar Mengal in jail, and also warned the media to heed their attitude towards "nationalist elements" , otherwise they risked their offices being torched.

Other opposition leaders also spoke and berated the recent arrest of Baloch "Nationalist elements", demanding immediate closure of Gwadar, Kalabagh dam Project, cessation of military operations in the Province, and ending of FC check posts in the Province.

Resolutions were also passed against the fencing and mining of Pak-Afghan borders.