Quetta Express named after Akbar Bugti

“Bugti remained a real democratic leader and served on key political slots during his life,” says minister.

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways has renamed the Quetta Express as Akbar Express in honour of the late Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. The move coincides with the 7th death anniversary of Akbar Bugti, who was also the chief of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP). Bugti was killed in an operation ordered by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in August 2006.

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq, while paying tribute to the late Baloch leader on his death anniversary, said the announcement had been made to acknowledge his efforts for democracy. “The train has been named after Akbar Bugti in recognition of his services to this country and for democracy,” he added.

“Bugti remained a real democratic leader and served on key political slots during his life,” the minister said.

Referring to the controversial military action ordered by Musharraf, he said matters were dealt with force during dictatorship.

“The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has always opposed the use of force as it is not a solution to any problem,” Rafiq said, adding that the government was making an effort to listen to the voice of the neglected segments of society.

The railways minister said that the PML-N government would soon approach the people of Balochistan for reconciliation and negotiations.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2013.