Former CM of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif. PHOTO: FILE
Former Punjab chief minister has conceded that the sacking of Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s government in Balochistan in the 1990s was a ‘mistake’.
Akhtar Mengal’s government was sacked in 1998 by the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif reportedly for opposing the federal government’s decision to conduct nuclear tests.
“Removal of Akhtar Mengal’s government was a bad decision and we made a mistake,” Shahbaz Sharif told journalists after a meeting with Sardar Akhtar Mengal, chief of his own faction of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-M), in Quetta on Wednesday. “Nawaz Sharif has already regretted the decision publicly,” he added.
“Sardar Akhtar Mengal had formed a coalition government representing all stakeholders – including the Baloch and the Pakhtun – but an unfortunate incident led to the removal of the provincial government,” Shahbaz said.
Punjab’s former CM said that he was well aware of the difficulties the Baloch people faced and that their complaints were genuine. He added that Punjab had surrendered its share of Rs11billion in the historic NFC Award for the people of Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
“Without Balochistan, Pakistan is incomplete,” he said, adding that economic stability was not possible without peace in Balochistan, Sindh and K-P.
On his part, Mengal welcomed Shahbaz Sharif’s visit to Balochistan and his meetings with local leaders at this important juncture. “This [visit] demonstrates unity among political and democratic forces,” he added.
Mengal said he discussed with Shahbaz possible seats adjustment between the PML-N and BNP-M in Balochistan and that the former has already formed a committee for this purpose. “The BNP-M will follow suit,” he added.
Mengal claimed that the security establishment was trying to keep his party away from the general elections. “Unless the missing persons are recovered and those responsible for their ordeal are brought to justice, free and transparent elections are not possible,” he reiterated.
He asked the government to disarm its ‘proxy gunmen’ from all parts of Balochistan and ensure a level playing field for all candidates in the elections.
Shahbaz Sharif said if the PML-N and BNP-M contested the election as an alliance, they could block undemocratic forces from staging a comeback in the province. “Anti-democratic forces are trying to defeat democratic forces for their ulterior designs,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2013.
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ET: Don't stop comments.
PMLN will ally with anyone and everyone who will help them into power. They're as power hungry as ever. They will travel to any corner for seat adjustment, even with those who they once themselves sacked.
Vote wisely.
This is so convenient for these people, after every few years they advise us to forget the past and build a new future. Now we have no future there's nothing in front of us, we are here because none of these so called fearless leaders paid for their crimes. Be it Musharaf, Zardari or Nawaz they are all the same.
Pakistan needs to bury their bitter past and commit for a bright future lets have a national level Plan of forgiveness and build a tolerate society. Lets Bygones be Bygones Truly!