APC demands resolution of Balochistan issues, US appears split over Balochistan

KARACHI: Karachi-based leaders of various political parties have demanded at an All Parties Conference (APC) on Wednesday that Baloch tribal chiefs should not punish the entire country for mistakes made by the incompetent military and civilian bureaucracy. ‘The APC requests the Baloch tribal chiefs to join hands with patriot political parties and people of Pakistan to sort out their problems and to remove their sense of deprivation,’ read a resolution. Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Chapter hosted the APC on ‘Balochistan Operation and Conspiracies’ and it was addressed by JI Deputy Chief Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, PML-N member and lawyer Mir Nawaz Khan Marwat, JUP leader Siddique Rathore, National People’s Party leader Zia Abbas, NWP leader Yousuf Masti Khan, National Party leader Yousuf Buledi, PDP’s Basharat Mirza, Pakistan Islami Tehrik’s Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi, JI Karachi chief Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Sunni Teheek leader Aftab Qadri and Waqas Baloch son of Sher Mohammad Baloch. The APC rejected Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s statement that Sher Mohammad Baloch was an Iranian citizen and termed it a cruel joke with the nation. It demanded that a judicial probe be conducted about the murders of Akbar Bugti, Sher Mohammad Baloch, Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and Lala Muneer. The JI-sponsored APC also demanded capital punishment for those involved in the murder of Bugti and other Baloch leaders. The APC demanded that natural resources of Balochistan not be given under multinational companies’ control. The colonialist approach towards Balochistan should end, urged the APC. It demanded an end to the military operation and the withdrawal of unnecessary deployment in Balochistan, along with the rehabilitation of the people of Kohlu and Dera Bugti. Demanding the release and recovery of detained missing persons of Balochistan, the APC demanded employment opportunities and infrastructure development in the province. The replacement of the present authority with the Gawadar Port Trust was also proposed. On one hand, the APC made an appeal to the Baloch tribal chiefs and on the other, the APC also demanded of the government to abrogate the concurrent list in the constitution and grant due rights to all the provinces under the Constitution of Pakistan. The APC resolution stated that the concurrent list was applicable for 10 years. “Provincial autonomy is every province’s right and all the provinces should be given the power to exercise their rights,” said JI Deputy Chief and former senior legislator Prof Ghafoor Ahmed. He said that the entire country is with the Baloch compatriots and warned that the country’s integrity would be at stake if the issue of Balochistan is not resolved. “Injustice with Baloch Pakistanis will be considered injustice with us. They are loyal citizens of Pakistan like the rest of us,” he said. Ahmed said that the Baloch were denied their due rights. irfan alihttp://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\30\story_30-4-2009_pg7_20