“All those who live in Balochistan, including the Punjabis and other ethnic groups, belong to Balochistan and Balochistan is their land,” says Dr Malik. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ FILE
“We never indulged in corruption – and we’ll not allow corruption in the province,” said Dr Malik, who is also the president of National Party. He thanked the PML-N for reposing trust in him and said that he would resolve the myriad problems confronting Balochistan with the help of allied parties.
The chief minister-designate also called upon other nationalist parties to help his administration in steering the province out of the prevailing morass. “We appeal to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) to join hands with us to resolve the festering issues of Balochistan,” he added. “I’ll meet Sardar Ataullah Mengal and [BNP-M chief] Sardar Akhtar Mengal to ask for their support.”
Akhtar Mengal and lawmakers of his party had resigned from the assemblies in protest against the killing of Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military operation in 2006. Mengal went into self-exile in 2008. He returned to Pakistan in March 2013 to lead his party in the May 11 elections.
Dr Malik held out an assurance that the killers of Nawab Bugti would be punished according to the law of the land. “I worked with Nawab Bugti. He was a respectable man,” he added.
Asked about the possibility of peace dialogue with Baloch separatists, the chief minister-designate said he was willing to meet any individual or party that could convince the separatists to come to the negotiating table. “Within the framework of Pakistan, we would try to move forward for the development of Balochistan,” he added.
However, Dr Malik said he did not believe in general amnesty. “A situation has to be created where all parties sit together to find a solution to all festering problems, including enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings,” he said.
Referring to increasing attacks motivated by ethnic hatred, Dr Malik said. “All those who live in Balochistan, including the Punjabis and other ethnic groups, belong to Balochistan and Balochistan is their land,” he said.
About the economic deprivation of Balochistan, Dr Malik said that people in 30 districts of the province were living below the poverty line. “We’ll focus on improving the living standards of these people,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2013.
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OK...............We will watch your bite!
@BetelQ8: "Another example of famous Nawaz “Genius”. The most important and main trouble makers Bugtis and Marris are kept out of the process. This might most probabally be because of establishment refusal to give clearance. Most of the Sardars and Waderas gathered in Murree are the same old power hungry lot. Neverhless, My best wishes to the new incoming admin with a hope that they could convince the ignored to join hands with them." . Were the usual political pattern were to be followed, once again it is going to be fine and dandy for half an year or so. The moment some disgruntled elements realise that their herd did not benefit that much from the largesse of the Federal Government as they had expected, this goody goody feelings would disappear to be replaced by demands of greater autonomy and even cessation. . It may be wiser for Mohajirs and Panjaabis not to seek jobs in Naya Balochistan. Should think of their children's an their own health. . Nawaz's genius has a date on it. One can wish good luck to the benefactors but can one evermore wish good luck for the country. Chances are grim if past history were any guide.
Another example of famous Nawaz "Genius". The most important and main trouble makers Bugtis and Marris are kept out of the process. This might most probabally be because of establishment refusal to give clearance. Most of the Sardars and Waderas gathered in Murree are the same old power hungry lot. Neverhless, My best wishes to the new incoming admin with a hope that they could convince the ignored to join hands with them.
All feudal landlords of Baluchistan and they never go away! Ordinary Baluchis suffer and die.
Lets see how the establishment plays you sir. They haven't even let Karachi, the most important city in the country, settle down. A peaceful Balochistan is a far-fetched idea.
In Karachi we had similar missing persons cases in the 80s & 90s which slowly turned into ethnic violence. I fear the same fate for Balochistan.
best of luck...