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| March 15, 2002 | Friday | Zilhaj 30, 1422 |
ANP reiterates demand for provincial autonomy
QUETTA, March 14: Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali has said that until full provincial autonomy is not given to the provinces no federating unit can be satisfied.
Speaking at the third death anniversary of Nawab Abdul Qadir Kasi, a veteran leader of the ANP, here on Thursday he said the condition of graduation for the candidates for the general election was against the human rights.
“The government wanted to keep politicians away from election through this condition,” Mr Wali said, and demanded withdrawal of the condition.
ANP president said seats in the Senate should also be increased for the equal representation of the provinces in case of joint session of parliament.
“The Senate should be made a powerful institution that could take decision independently” ,he said and added that until rights of all nationalities were not protected federating, units and federation could not be strengthened.
He said the ANP always stressed on talks for resolving disputes with India, and suggested Loya Jirga for settling Afghan issue as the ANP leadership believed that no problem could be resolved through war.
ANP chief refuted the propaganda that present government would not hold election in October, saying that polls would be held on time.
He asked his party activists to come forward and get united under the red flag, and be prepared for taking part in the election. “Now future is yours. The politics of others is over, as their era is over,” Mr Wali said.
ANP Secretary-General Dr Inayatullah and ANP Balochistan President Arbab Abdul Zahir Kasi also spoke on the occasion.
The meeting, through a resolution, fully supported Afghan Loya Jirga scheduled to be held on June 22, and demanded that efforts should be made for permanent peace in the war-torn country.
The participants also favoured 40 per cent allowance for the employees in Quetta District, and subsidy on power bills for landlords of Balochistan.
They also demanded for the withdrawal of increase in the fee of Balochistan University. The resolution voiced its deep concern over deteriorating law and order situation in Quetta, and demanded measures to control kidnappings for ransom, killings and robberies.
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