MPAs to raise Indian meddling in Balochistan at world stage

Balochistan to write letter to United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon

QUETTA: Borrowing a leaf from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s diplomatic book, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri on Sunday decided to send a delegation of provincial lawmakers to friendly states to raise the issue of India’s involvement in fomenting violence in the province.

In addition, a letter will also be written to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in this regard, the provincial chief minister said while talking to media persons.



Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on August 15 raised the Balochistan issue in what was billed as a clear crossing of the ‘red line’ in diplomatic circles. People in Balochistan reacted to this blatant act of interference in the country’s internal affairs by taking out a huge demonstration in the province.



PM Nawaz had formed a team of 22 members of parliament as special envoys who would travel to various countries to highlight the situation of Occupied Kashmir and to cement Pakistan’s stand in the Kashmir dispute.

“We are not afraid of any kind of threats and are ready to sacrifice our lives for the protection of our country and people,” Zehri said.

He said Pakistan and Balochistan are our homes and added that they would never allow India to sow trouble there. He accused the so-called separatist leaders for provoking Baloch youth while sitting out of the country.



“Most of their fellows have surrendered their arms and have started to come back from they mountains where they had gone, while some for want of money have been talking about freedom.”

The chief minister rejected reports about the number of missing persons and mutilated bodies and said some people are spreading false news and exaggerating the situation.

“The incidents of missing persons and receiving mutilated bodies have stopped -- to some extent. According to some estimates, some 40 to 50 persons are missing so far, most of them are believed to be in Afghanistan and Dubai.

“Developmental work in the province is going on in a satisfactory way. Besides addressing security challenges, we are now in a better position and can assure that there are no worries about security now,” he claimed.

The chief minister, while talking about the development of Gwadar, said with the commencement of the Chine-Pakistan economic corridor, a period of prosperity, economic development and trade would commence in the province.



“The rights and concerns of the people of Gwadar will be protected through legislation,” he assured. The chief minister said the government is serious about conducting the population census, adding due to the unavailability of security forces it had been postponed.

Meanwhile, the chief minister presided over a meeting that discussed developmental works and the cleanliness campaign launched in the province. He asked the authorities concerned to make special arrangements of cleanliness during Eidul Azha.

The chief minister was also briefed about lack of resources to equip and meet the needs of the Levies force. Zehri ordered the provision of the latest weapons and training facilities for the force.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2016.