Govt policies have alienated Baloch people, says Mengal
By Malik Siraj Akbar
QUETTA: The present governmentââ¬â¢s policies have alienated the Baloch people and the gulf between Islamabad and the people of Balochistan had widened ââ¬Åremarkablyââ¬Â, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the president of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), said on Sunday.
Addressing a public rally in Naushki, Mengal, a former chief minister of Balochistan, said the Baloch had been completely disappointed with state institutions, as they had not treated the Baloch equally and granted them justice. ââ¬ÅThe Baloch face discrimination in all walks of life. Our natural resources are taken away. We are called terrorists and anti-national despite being the most deprived people in this country,ââ¬Â he said.
He said the Baloch had always fought for their rights and they would continue to do so. He said that natural resources discovered in Balochistan were the property of the Baloch people and no one would be allowed to exploit them.
Referring to the ongoing operation in Balochistan, Mengal said a war-like situation had been ââ¬Åunnecessarily and illegallyââ¬Â imposed on the Baloch people for the fourth time since 1947.
ââ¬ÅWe have nothing against the state. We want our rights and an immediate end to the ongoing domination of Punjab in the federation. Instead of addressing our grievances politically and peacefully, military force is being used against our people,ââ¬Â he added.
He also criticised the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a coalition partner of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) in the Balochistan government, over its support to the military operation in various parts of Balochistan. He said the Baloch people were displeased at the MMAââ¬â¢s silence over the ââ¬Ålarge-scale killingââ¬Â by security forces.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\05\22\story_22-5-2006_pg7_15
By Malik Siraj Akbar
QUETTA: The present governmentââ¬â¢s policies have alienated the Baloch people and the gulf between Islamabad and the people of Balochistan had widened ââ¬Åremarkablyââ¬Â, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the president of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), said on Sunday.
Addressing a public rally in Naushki, Mengal, a former chief minister of Balochistan, said the Baloch had been completely disappointed with state institutions, as they had not treated the Baloch equally and granted them justice. ââ¬ÅThe Baloch face discrimination in all walks of life. Our natural resources are taken away. We are called terrorists and anti-national despite being the most deprived people in this country,ââ¬Â he said.
He said the Baloch had always fought for their rights and they would continue to do so. He said that natural resources discovered in Balochistan were the property of the Baloch people and no one would be allowed to exploit them.
Referring to the ongoing operation in Balochistan, Mengal said a war-like situation had been ââ¬Åunnecessarily and illegallyââ¬Â imposed on the Baloch people for the fourth time since 1947.
ââ¬ÅWe have nothing against the state. We want our rights and an immediate end to the ongoing domination of Punjab in the federation. Instead of addressing our grievances politically and peacefully, military force is being used against our people,ââ¬Â he added.
He also criticised the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a coalition partner of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) in the Balochistan government, over its support to the military operation in various parts of Balochistan. He said the Baloch people were displeased at the MMAââ¬â¢s silence over the ââ¬Ålarge-scale killingââ¬Â by security forces.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\05\22\story_22-5-2006_pg7_15
