Army supports political process in Balochistan: Kayani

Army chief comments on the situation in the province before leaving for his trip to Russia.

RAWALPINDI: Commenting on the situation in Balochistan, Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that the army supports any political process in the province as long as it is within the Constitution of Pakistan, a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated on Wednesday.

The army chief remarked about the developments in the province before he left for Moscow. He will be in Russia from October 3 to 6.

During his three-day stay, Gen Kayani is expected to meet top Russian military and civil leaders to discuss options for expanding military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan’s military recently came under fire during a gripping hearing on the law and order situation in Balochistan where disgruntled Baloch leader and former chief minister of the province Sardar Akhtar Mengal made his first appearance in the Supreme Court.

Mengal presented before the court six recommendations that include suspension of covert and overt military operations in Balochistan, recovery of missing persons, and disbanding ‘death squads’ operating under the supervision of secret agencies.