Balochistan imbroglio: Nawaz warns ‘hidden powers’ against rigging polls
Meets chief Talal Bugti; says Baloch nationalists must contest elections to break the status quo.
LAHORE:
Voicing his support for a political solution to the Balochistan conundrum, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has warned that the fluid security situation in the province will worsen if “hidden powers” tried to influence the next parliamentary election.
Following a meeting with Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) leader Talal Bugti in Raiwind, the PML-N chief said political forces should be given a chance to play a role in restoring normalcy in Balochistan.
During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to convince all Baloch nationalists to contest the next election. They also discussed the possibility of a future electoral alliance between their parties.
The two leaders also devised a future course of action in the province and recommended steps for the federal government to implement immediately.
“If a fake leadership is imposed through the general election in Balochistan, the security situation will worsen,” Nawaz told a joint press conference with Talal Bugti.
The PML-N chief supported the six-point formula of former Balochistan chief minister Sardar Akthar Mengal, saying the federal government should take Pakistan Army on board before taking any step to resolve the crisis.
“It is a welcome note that Baloch political parties that boycotted the last election, despite being wounded by the state institution, still have belief in the democratic process and the judiciary, and are willing to solve the current situation politically,” said Nawaz.
The PML-N chief said the next elections were “a ray of hope” for the people of Balochistan and stressed the importance of them being free, fair and transparent.
Talal’s warning
On his part, Talal Bugti criticised the role of the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) in Balochistan and hinted that if the PML-N and Baloch political parties failed to contest the elections under one banner, the current regime was likely to come to power again.
He went on to add that an alliance was necessary to stop corrupt politicians from coming to power. Talal Bugti suggested that voluntary withdrawal of the FC, Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence from the province would help defuse the situation.
According to him, Balochistan’s four gas fields provided an opportunity for the army to enter Balochistan in the name of protecting security installations.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2012.
Voicing his support for a political solution to the Balochistan conundrum, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has warned that the fluid security situation in the province will worsen if “hidden powers” tried to influence the next parliamentary election.
Following a meeting with Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) leader Talal Bugti in Raiwind, the PML-N chief said political forces should be given a chance to play a role in restoring normalcy in Balochistan.
During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to convince all Baloch nationalists to contest the next election. They also discussed the possibility of a future electoral alliance between their parties.
The two leaders also devised a future course of action in the province and recommended steps for the federal government to implement immediately.
“If a fake leadership is imposed through the general election in Balochistan, the security situation will worsen,” Nawaz told a joint press conference with Talal Bugti.
The PML-N chief supported the six-point formula of former Balochistan chief minister Sardar Akthar Mengal, saying the federal government should take Pakistan Army on board before taking any step to resolve the crisis.
“It is a welcome note that Baloch political parties that boycotted the last election, despite being wounded by the state institution, still have belief in the democratic process and the judiciary, and are willing to solve the current situation politically,” said Nawaz.
The PML-N chief said the next elections were “a ray of hope” for the people of Balochistan and stressed the importance of them being free, fair and transparent.
Talal’s warning
On his part, Talal Bugti criticised the role of the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) in Balochistan and hinted that if the PML-N and Baloch political parties failed to contest the elections under one banner, the current regime was likely to come to power again.
He went on to add that an alliance was necessary to stop corrupt politicians from coming to power. Talal Bugti suggested that voluntary withdrawal of the FC, Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence from the province would help defuse the situation.
According to him, Balochistan’s four gas fields provided an opportunity for the army to enter Balochistan in the name of protecting security installations.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2012.