‘Balochistan’s rights to its resources should be acknowledged’

"People involved in terrorism in Balochistan do not want a prosperous Pakistan," says Achakzai.

For restoration of peace in Balochistan, the rights of Baloch people on their natural resources should be acknowledged. This was said by veteran politician and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. He expressed this during a meeting with an Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) delegation, who called on him in Islamabad on Sunday, said a press release issued by the ICCI.

The traders delegation led by ICCI President Zafar Bakhtawari discussed the current situation and challenges facing the natural resource-rich province and the country in general with the veteran politician.

Achakzai condemned the killings of Hazaras in Quetta and other innocent people elsewhere in the country on the basis of faith and religion, saying that people who are involved in terrorism in Balochistan do not want a prosperous Pakistan.

He condemned the killing of Muslims on the basis of difference of sect and said that even in Afghanistan, no individual was targeted on basis of sect or beliefs. Therefore, he urged all political leaders to join hands to get rid of this problem and make Pakistan a dignified, independent and prosperous country.

The ICCI president noted that Balochistan is full of minerals, oil and gas resources, and urged the government to take all possible steps to maintain law and order in the province.

Bakhtawari said political stability is a prerequisite for economic growth and development of the country in the prevailing global scenario to offset future fiscal challenges. There should have been plans for practicing good governance to sustain and maintain a sound political and socioeconomic system in the country, he maintained.

He also expressed deep concern over continuous killings of Hazaras in Quetta and said that it is the responsibility of Baloch political leaders to restore peace in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2013.