Marri warns of unrest if Baloch left out

Says want to join national level political party

QUETTA: Former Balochistan Home Minister Nawabzada Gazain Marri on Thursday said that Balochistan’s isolation from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would add to a sense of deprivation among Baloch “because the multi-billion project is a game changer for the country”.

“As elections draw near, nationalist parties have started criticising CPEC,” Marri said while talking to the media at his residence.

“Indeed, the project can prove to be a fortune changer for the people of Balochistan only if they are given their due share; otherwise, it will create unrest here.”

Lashing out at the provincial government, Marri said: “By creating negative rhetoric against CPEC, nationalist parties are creating political room for themselves to fight on in the next general elections,” adding, “But they should have come forward when they were in power.”



Answering a question regarding his political career, he said, many sitting parliamentarians and political parties approached him to join their parties.

“After consultations with old friends we will make an alliance that will be the voice of the people of Balochistan, but I want to join a political party that has roots at national level.”

Talking about the provinces rights after the 18th Amendment, Marri said, “Provinces enjoy total autonomy after the amendment,” adding, “the federation should not discriminate between the federating units if we go by its true interpretation.”

“Unfortunately, the federal government and federating units are still unaware of the spirit behind enacting the amendment.”

Replying to a query on his role in the coming caretaker government, the Baloch politician said, “I don’t even know when the caretaker government will hold the rein of the province or when the general elections will be held but I also heard from some friends that the formation of the caretaker cabinet is being discussed [among the quarters concerned].”