23 February 2005	Wednesday	13 Muharram 1426

KARACHI, Feb 22: Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti said on Tuesday that there was no improvement in the Sui situation as the stand off continued.

Expressing concern over what he called large scale deployment of troops in the area, Nawab Bugti said it appeared that the government was planning an army operation and in that case Baloch people would have no option but to resist with full force.

The JWP chief, who heads the Bugti tribe, said he was fully aware of the 'heavy price' the Baloch would have to pay in such a conflict because they would suffer more than the troops who were better equipped.

In his first telephonic address to journalists gathered at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday afternoon, he described the situation as tense and uncertain and said that more than a division of troops including paramilitary personnel had been deployed in Sui. Moreover, he added, helicopters and surveillance planes were seen hovering regularly which indicated that the government was not sincere in pursuing political dialogue.

When his attention was drawn to mediation efforts of PML leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Mushahid Hussain Syed, the JWP chief said he valued their efforts and would never doubt their intentions. However, he warned that there were 'other forces' who were creating hindrances.

The veteran Baloch leader pointed out that the mediation efforts initiated by the PML leaders in August last year were stalled because of the tragic Sui incident. He said that the Baloch people were justified in their reaction to the shameful assault on a lady doctor because such acts were not permissible in the Baloch society.

Regretting the attitude of the government, the Nawab said that the 'highly influential' principal accused in the case had not been arrested and efforts were being made to hush up the case.

In reply to a question, he said he was not against the mediation efforts and he had suggested the names of three intellectuals whose integrity could no one doubt, Mushahid Hussain, Irshad Ahmed Haqqani and Ayaz Mir. Nawab Bugti held the government responsible for the current impasse and said it had created a deadlock by not arresting the rape case culprits.

He ridiculed assertions that arms were being smuggled into Balochistan, claiming that the arms and ammunition being used in Pakistan were from the lot which had once been supplied to Afghan militants by the US in their fight against former Soviet Union in Afghanistan.

The JWP leader denied a charge levelled against him by an intelligence officer and reiterating his readiness to face it if any evidence was produced against him.

He said the PPL did not have any welfare budget and there was no question of its disbursement. He accused the government of pursuing the policy of defaming its opponents with continuous dis information and negative propaganda.

About the Karachi meeting of Baloch leaders with the US ambassador, Nawab Bugti said Sardar Ataullah Mengal had told the ambassador that the arms used in Balochistan were the same which the US had supplied to Pakistan for Afghan militants.

Answering a question about the MMA's movement, Nawab Bugti said the leaders of the alliance should themselves be clear about the movement, because there was talk of long marches and also reports of secret dealings.

He said: "We are carefully watching the situation and will take a decision whenever we are assured that the MMA leadership is serious about launching a movement against the government."

When asked what would be his reaction if President Gen Pervez Musharraf decided to come to Dera Bugti to hold direct talks with him, the JWP chief said he was not against holding meaningful dialogue. But dialogue needs a congenial atmosphere and removal of all irritants. JWP leaders Shahid Bugti, Abdul Rauf Sasuli and Saleem Baloch also attended the press conference.