Balochistan unrest: Bugti threatens poll boycott, calls for military pullout
JWP wants PML-N inclusion in political alliance for Balochistan’s benefit.
ISLAMABAD:
The Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) has warned of boycotting the next general elections if the “ongoing military operation” in the province is not called off.
JWP chief Talal Bugti called on party leaders to garner support for his stance saying that free and fair elections are impossible “if intelligence agencies continue to interfere in the province.”
During a press conference on Monday, Talal also alleged that foreign intelligence agencies had penetrated the Pakistan security establishment.
Endorsing the stance of Balochistan National Party leader Akhtar Mengal, Talal said that the safe and speedy return of missing persons in the province was instrumental to peace. He also spoke about his efforts to urge self-exiled Baloch leaders to participate in the general elections.
Wooing the PML-N
Talal, the son of former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Akbar Bugti, criticised the current government’s failure to address the problems of the Baloch people. He proposed a grand alliance to restore peace in the province.
“We need the Punjab government to play an active role to resolve the problems of Balochistan,” said Talal. Referring to the PML-N’s commitment to the Balochistan question, Talal quoted Nawaz as saying, “We will live and die together”.
Talal said that the PML-N chief had extended his full support to Baloch leaders, and had assured that the FC would be withdrawn from the province if PML-N came into power in the next general elections.
He added that if the government was genuinely interested in resolving the province’s issues, “it must stop the army operation in Balochistan.”
Talal also met PML-Zia chief Ejazul Haq, Lt General (retd) Hamid Gul, Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz Pakistan president Dr Abdul Qadir Khan, Pakistan Amn Party President Gulzar Awan and other leaders for the formation of the proposed alliance.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2012.
The Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) has warned of boycotting the next general elections if the “ongoing military operation” in the province is not called off.
JWP chief Talal Bugti called on party leaders to garner support for his stance saying that free and fair elections are impossible “if intelligence agencies continue to interfere in the province.”
During a press conference on Monday, Talal also alleged that foreign intelligence agencies had penetrated the Pakistan security establishment.
Endorsing the stance of Balochistan National Party leader Akhtar Mengal, Talal said that the safe and speedy return of missing persons in the province was instrumental to peace. He also spoke about his efforts to urge self-exiled Baloch leaders to participate in the general elections.
Wooing the PML-N
Talal, the son of former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Akbar Bugti, criticised the current government’s failure to address the problems of the Baloch people. He proposed a grand alliance to restore peace in the province.
“We need the Punjab government to play an active role to resolve the problems of Balochistan,” said Talal. Referring to the PML-N’s commitment to the Balochistan question, Talal quoted Nawaz as saying, “We will live and die together”.
Talal said that the PML-N chief had extended his full support to Baloch leaders, and had assured that the FC would be withdrawn from the province if PML-N came into power in the next general elections.
He added that if the government was genuinely interested in resolving the province’s issues, “it must stop the army operation in Balochistan.”
Talal also met PML-Zia chief Ejazul Haq, Lt General (retd) Hamid Gul, Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz Pakistan president Dr Abdul Qadir Khan, Pakistan Amn Party President Gulzar Awan and other leaders for the formation of the proposed alliance.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2012.