Wednesday, July 15, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Former senator and Balochistan National Party (BNP) leader Sanaullah Baloch on Tuesday opened a new vista of opportunity for what he called meaningful dialogue with the federal government coupled with some guarantees to Baloch nationalists to resolve all the outstanding issues.
Addressing a seminar Cost of Balochistan Conflict jointly organised by the Sungi Development Foundation and SDPI here at the National Press Club, Sanaullah Baloch said the Baloch nationalists could come to dialogue if the federation changes its approach which could resolve conflicts not only in Balochistan but across the country.Yes, my party and me condemn all sorts of violence, both against the Punjabi settlers and the incursion against Baloch nationalists, he remarked.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Says PML-N favours provincial autonomy
By our correspondent
LAHORE: PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif has urged the federal government to initiate the process of comprehensive dialogue with all the Baloch leaders and tribal heads, including those who do not have representation in the provincial, national assemblies and the Senate.
Talking to PML-N Balochistan President Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir at his Raiwind residence here on Tuesday, Nawaz said: The PML-N strongly advocates the provincial autonomy, which has been recognised by the 1973 Constitution. Moreover, we do believe in giving royalty to the provinces on the basis of equal distribution of natural resources. At the same time, the distribution of resources will help smooth relationship between the federation and provinces as well as it would completely eliminate the chances of misunderstanding amongst the provinces, which are federating units of the country, he added. The delegation, comprising political leaders and ministers, belonging to the Balochistan government, including former federal minister Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hasni, Ehsanullah Rek, MNA, provincial ministers Amanullah Notherzai and Habibur Rehman and District Nazim Mujeebur-Rehman. The leaders discussed the political situation in the country.
They agreed that the country was facing enormous problems and the only way to resolve the existing crises was to show unity and developing national consensus. About the issues being faced by the people of Balochistan, the PML-N Quaid reiterated his partys stance to envisage his full support to the people of Balochistan who were striving to achieve their political right. The PML-N is fully determined to fight for the political rights of the people of Balochistan in the same spirit, it had demonstrated during the movement for the restoration of the deposed judges and the independence of judiciary, Nawaz added.
Expressing his solidarity with the people of Balochistan, Nawaz said: The development process is inevitable to end the sense of deprivation from the people, but even the development becomes meaningless if the people are not given their fundamental and political rights.
About the ruthless killings of Baloch leaders, Nawaz urged the government to hold an impartial, unbiased and independent judicial inquiry duly backed by the credible process. An independent and unbiased judicial inquiry is the only way to heal the wounds of the people, he said.
Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir appreciated the stance of the PML-N Quaid over the Balochistan issue. Certainly the strong message conveyed by the PML-N Quaid by expressing his solidarity with the people of Balochistan is a milestone towards strengthening the federation of Pakistan. Showing their great trust and confidence in the leadership of the PML-N Quaid and acknowledging the principled and very clear stance of the party on the key issues of the country, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hasni and Mujeebur Rehman announced to join the PML-N in the presence of Nawaz Sharif.
