Malik sabotaged Balochistan peace process, says Raisani
Senator Raisani says interior minister resorts to violence for restoring peace in Quetta.
QUETTA:
PPP Senator Haji Lashkari Raisani has demanded Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s resignation, saying he is under ‘moral obligation’ to do so. The announcement followed a series of allegations made against Malik by former Sindh minister Zulfiqar Mirza.
Calling him the ‘most unwanted’ man in Sindh and Balochistan, Raisani alleged that Malik has sabotaged the peace process in Balochistan.
He went on to say that the government should launch a judicial probe into the matter and that cases must be registered against him under Article 6 of the Constitution.
“Malik is now morally bound to resign as he sabotaged the peace process in Balochistan. The two small provinces Sindh and Balochistan are demanding Rehman Malik to resign and leave the interior ministry at once,” he told reporters on Monday. Further alleging that Malik’s conduct had on many occasions been unbecoming, he said: “It has been observed that whenever Rehman Malik visited Quetta, he used harsh language and delivered provocative speeches against Baloch nationalists which spoiled the process of reconciliation and negotiations.”
The senator alleged that Malik had directed siege-and-search operations in Baloch and Pakhtun-populated areas in Karachi only to appease his ally. “Malik is a man with a dubious character and his suspicious activities have fuelled the deteriorating law and order situation not only in Karachi, but also in Balochistan,” he said, adding: “I do not know why he is still holding this key position after such serious allegations.”
Raisani said: “It is the responsibility of the state to launch a judicial inquiry. If it is not conducted, it will encourage some elements to try and break up Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday and briefed him about the law and order situation in Karachi and the measures to maintain law and order in the Sindh metropolis. According to sources, Malik took notice of the allegations made by Zulfikar Mirza and Lashkari Raisani against him.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2011.
PPP Senator Haji Lashkari Raisani has demanded Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s resignation, saying he is under ‘moral obligation’ to do so. The announcement followed a series of allegations made against Malik by former Sindh minister Zulfiqar Mirza.
Calling him the ‘most unwanted’ man in Sindh and Balochistan, Raisani alleged that Malik has sabotaged the peace process in Balochistan.
He went on to say that the government should launch a judicial probe into the matter and that cases must be registered against him under Article 6 of the Constitution.
“Malik is now morally bound to resign as he sabotaged the peace process in Balochistan. The two small provinces Sindh and Balochistan are demanding Rehman Malik to resign and leave the interior ministry at once,” he told reporters on Monday. Further alleging that Malik’s conduct had on many occasions been unbecoming, he said: “It has been observed that whenever Rehman Malik visited Quetta, he used harsh language and delivered provocative speeches against Baloch nationalists which spoiled the process of reconciliation and negotiations.”
The senator alleged that Malik had directed siege-and-search operations in Baloch and Pakhtun-populated areas in Karachi only to appease his ally. “Malik is a man with a dubious character and his suspicious activities have fuelled the deteriorating law and order situation not only in Karachi, but also in Balochistan,” he said, adding: “I do not know why he is still holding this key position after such serious allegations.”
Raisani said: “It is the responsibility of the state to launch a judicial inquiry. If it is not conducted, it will encourage some elements to try and break up Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday and briefed him about the law and order situation in Karachi and the measures to maintain law and order in the Sindh metropolis. According to sources, Malik took notice of the allegations made by Zulfikar Mirza and Lashkari Raisani against him.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2011.