ISLAMABAD:
As the government and military authorities scrambled to dismiss allegations leveled by a former chief minister of Balochistan, major opposition parties have started endorsing the six-point agenda of the estranged Baloch leader, Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday put its weight behind Mengal’s proposal, and called for immediate steps to remove the sense of deprivation amongst the people of Balochistan.
Parallels with East Pakistan
Mengal, the chief of Balochistan National Party, held a meeting with the PML-N chief, Nawaz Sharif, who endorsed the former’s charter saying, “it was because of inefficient policies that our own people were offended.”
Nawaz was referring to the East Pakistan situation, with which Mengal drew a parallel, and said his charter was not different from that of Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman.
“Why shouldn’t we part our ways peacefully,” Mengal said, adding that the Baloch people would not enter into any sort of negotiations with Pakistan if his six points were not implemented.
He had earlier submitted his charter to the Supreme Court when he ended his three-year exile to attend a hearing on the Balochistan law and order case.
He identified the issue of missing persons as a serious cause of concern, and lauded the apex court for its efforts in resolving it.
The PML-N had submitted a resolution over the issue of missing persons in the National Assembly a few months ago, which led to the formation of a special committee on the subject. The committee, however, has not elected its chairman yet.
Addressing the media after the meeting with Nawaz, Mengal termed his six points as “the only medium to find a tangible solution to unrest in the province, and are not against the Constitution.”
He alleged that security agencies are responsible for the plight of his people, but refrained from naming any.
”Those forces, which have ruled the country for the last 65 years and acted as masters instead of servants and considered themselves above the Constitution, should be harnessed,” he said.
Mengal referred to the thousands of Bengalis killed in East Pakistan, and said the same was being done in his province. “It’s better to separate peacefully instead of shedding each other’s blood,” he said.
On the killing of non-Baloch in the province, Mengal said whatever is happening in Balochistan is not part of their tradition; instead, it is imported and targeting the Hazara community is part of the game, he said.
Asked if he would participate in the upcoming general elections, Mengal said elections were not a priority for the Baloch. The first priority of Baloch leaders is to recover the missing people, and stop the bloodshed.
“No country in the world holds elections during war, and Balochistan has been in a state of war for the last 12 years,” he said.
Nawaz supports Mengal
Nawaz announced his support for the efforts of the Baloch leader, and said the nation should learn from its history, so that another East Pakistan-like episode is not repeated.
Nawaz said that leaders should sit together and think about what has alienated the people of Balochistan. “Atrocities have compelled the Baloch to think about separation,” he added.
He also stressed upon the need for arresting killers of Nawab Akbar Bugti, saying it was imperative for peace in Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (10)
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and what about the pashtoons who have killed on the hands of Talibans, are they not human being or just only because they are not punjabis?.. this army needs to stop discriminating now
“Why shouldn’t we part our ways peacefully,” Mengal said, adding that the Baloch people would not enter into any sort of negotiations with Pakistan if his six points were not implemented.
This Man Mengal, how can he say, BALOCH PEOPLE will NOT enter into any sort of negotiation with Pakistan, if his 6 points were not implemented. I mean this is hilarious, is Mr mengal ENTIRE Balochistan IN HIMSELF, is he the SOLE reopresentative of baloch People. How dare he say people of balochistan would not enter in any negotiation with Pakista, Mr mengal let me remind YOU balochistan is PAKISTAN. 40 percent of balochistan is Pakhtoons. Who are die hard supporters of Pakistan, go and ask any pakhtoon living in Balochistan and you would get the idea. I mean for God's sake this Mr Mengals, influence is not in more than 2 districts of the entier province and look at US, how we are glorifying him. As far as this chap, the hair-transplant guy Mr Nawaz Shareef is concerned, this guy, is the most deadliest threat to our country, He is just supporting him, for cheap publicity, and of course he has yet to over-come the stress syndrome Army has implanted in his head.
But its pathetic to see this drama being played which is totally devoid of reality. I say to the CJ and SC lets brand all these nawabs living in London, Afghanistan, and supported by RAW , brand them traitors, and lets get mroe development started on emergency basis for the betetrment of the Province. Please we as pakistanis can not give into such threats and theatrics. And please dont supoprt this Mr Shareef, because if something happens to our country, he would just go live in Europe or Gulf, where will WE ALL GO?
he is doing this becuause of his personal animosity with pervaiz musharraf and thrust for power
Nawaz and his party has become the only force of national unity. keep it up.
Its pity to play politics even on sensetive issues like these. And now IK has also jumped-in. What's there something new in the 6-points. Its like demanding autonomy for the province by the Sardars and Nawabs for themselves. These points can be considered as "Negotiable" but not as pre-condition for negotiation.
Mengal referred to the thousands of Bengalis killed in East Pakistan, and said the same was being done in his province. “It’s better to separate peacefully instead of shedding each other’s blood,” he said. Tring Tring!!! Tring Tring!!! Oh a repeat call from 1971......
Salue to anyone that supports the cause of the aggrieved Baluchi leaders, to those that dont get intimidated by the powers-to-be and for those that are willing to stand up for the cause of Baluchis.
Thank you NS and PML(N).
No one cares what Nawaz does or does not. His motives are to get into power by anyway. No one can take him serious anymore.
”Those forces, which have ruled the country for the last 65 years and acted as masters instead of servants and considered themselves above the Constitution, should be harnessed,” he said. HOW TRUE. The Army could not impose their will on the people of Baluchistan, they have gone beyond their limits by kidnapping and executing the Baluchis. The commando has flown the coop and living in luxury in London and other Capitals, he has left a mess for civilians to cope with. Bring him back and prosecute him for his alleged atrocities including the murder of Mr.Bugti. Let the courts decide who is guilty and who is innocent, it is not too late to hear the cries of our brothers and sisters in Baluchistan. Wake up or it will be too late, this country will implode if their grievances are not addressed, the sooner the better. The formation of a special committee on missing persons was a joke and the NA did not take it seriously, it is time they do their job as they are getting paid handsomely.