ISLAMABAD: The “Save Balochistan All Parties Conference” on Wednesday said the Balochistan was purely political, constitutional and human rights issue and asked for formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for resolution of the multifaceted problem.
Held here under the aegis of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Balochistan chapter and chaired by former CM and Chief of Balochistan National Party Akhtar Jan Mengal, the conference stressed dialogue and avoiding use of force, release of all political prisoners and giving hope to the angry Balochistan youth.
A declaration was issued, which said, “This APC strongly condemns the exploitative policies of the central government and the ruling party, contrary to the prevailing and universal values of Pakistan, the occupation of natural resources including minerals, the closure of historical trade routes and borders, which causes immense unemployment and holds these policies responsible for practically causing a situation of hunger and poverty in Balochistan, which has given rise to a great human tragedy.”
The conference demanded repeal of the Mines and Minerals Act, which it alleged was imposed on the people of Balochistan against the Constitution of Pakistan. It demanded immediate revival of trade in Chaman, Qamar Din, Kariz Badini and Iran border adjacent to the Durand Line. A demand was for the immediate release of all political prisoners across the country, ex-PM Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, leader of Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Dr Mahrang Baloch, lawyers Iman Ali Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha and Ali Wazir.
National Party Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi said stories of long wars do not look good. He pointed out that the number of seats in Balochistan is 16 and wondered how this could help in resolution of issues. Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Shakir regretted that orphans, widows and graveyards are increasing in Balochistan while due to poverty and unemployment, youths are becoming dacoits.
Ex-premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi lamented, “Today we have turned politics into hatred and enmity. The attitude that has been shown towards Balochistan makes me fear that the issue of Balochistan may not end. The youth of Balochistan are disappointed,” he noted.
Leader of Opposition in National Assembly and Chairman Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Mehmood Khan Achakzai said that Pashtuns and Baloch have been fighting for their rights since the time of Akbar the Great. “The situation has become such that the Pashtun turban and beard have become a symbol of terrorism. Hatred for injustice increases and as a result, the matter reaches terrorism,” he lamented.
National Democratic Movement leader Mohsin Dawar alleged terrorists are in control of the entire DI Khan, but they do not enter Punjab. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is also an equal partner in the insecurity, adding situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is even worse than Balochistan.
Former senator and senior leader of the opposition alliance Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said politics is failing, adding “If we still do not sit together and find a solution to this situation, it will be impossible to return. The most dangerous thing in this century is that states have exploded from within, the heat of explosion from within is very high, look at Syria, Libya and Yemen, why are we not learning lessons.”
Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned terrorism in Balochistan, saying everyone will have to come together on the agenda of terrorism. If terrorism persists, there will be no development, he added.
Referring to AJK and Balochistan, he said, “We are with them, and it would be better to come to the assembly with a mandate. We will stand with whatever representative parties suggest to improve the conditions of Balochistan,” he remarked.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser said what “is happening on our border is regrettable. Border trade is a common problem of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
