Talking to journalists, President of Balochistan National Party, (BNP-M), former Chief Minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal said that a military operation in Balochistan was not new for the Baloch because the policies of dictatorships are still being practiced. He alleged that the Pakistan Army had earlier decided to eliminate those people in the province who were struggling for their rights.
“There is no sign of a democratic government in Balochistan,” he added.
Senior leader of National Party (NP), Senator Hasil Bizenjo said: “It seems that [they are] determined to impose emergency in Balochistan in the coming days. The situation is moving towards ‘Governor Rule’.”
Bizenjo said his party will oppose the operation in Balochistan and added that he does not know why such decisions had been taken despite the presence of a democratic government; such decisions, he said, are immature and will only deteriorate the law and order situation.
MNA of the PML-N General (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch has also opposed the move to empower the FC. “The decisions earlier should have been discussed in the federal and provincial cabinets. Except the interior minister, no one in the cabinet knows about this and the political parties were also not taken on board.”
He said the FC has been overseeing the law and order situation in Balochistan for the past two years and the recent decision of empowering the civil military force is not understandable. He said the PML-N will not be a part of any operation in Balochistan.
Qadir Baloch further said that five military operations had been carried out in Balochistan in the past and the government gained nothing except the hate of the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2010.
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