29 January 2004	Thursday	06 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 28: The Jamhoori Watan Party leaders have urged the federal government not to construct army cantonments in the province and honour the Balochistan Assembly's resolution in this regard.

The JWP secretary-general, Agha Shahid Hasan Bugti; central information secretary, Amanullah Kunrani; and member central committee Rauf Sasuli were addressing a joint press conference here on Wednesday.

They regretted that despite opposition by major political parties and area people, the government was establishing cantonments in Gwadar, Sui and Kholu areas of the province.

The leaders claimed that the government had acquired a 200- acre land in Sui to build a cantonment and a notification was also issued on Dec 19, 2003 in this regard.

They alleged that the Gwadar mega project and construction of cantonments were all part of a global plan to extend the US influence in the region. "This situation is no more acceptable to us, as we will not allow foreign forces to use our land for military purposes," they stated.

The leaders expressed their view that the mega projects, which were launched in Gwadar district and other parts, were aimed at converting Baloch populace into minority.