March, 19 2005	Saturday	08 Safar 1426

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PESHAWAR, March 18: The Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has accused the government of launching a ‘military operation’ in Dera Bugti area of Balochistan and the killing several innocent people including women and children. In a Press release issued here on Friday, the ANP chief condemned, what he called an army operation in Dera Bugti and use of heavy arms as a result of which the situation had attained alarming proportions. He said that rulers had continued their policy of creating a 1971-like situation in Balochistan. “They are treating people of Balochistan in the same way has past tried to curb the voice of the eastern wing of Pakistan in 1971,” maintained the ANP chief, adding that “security forces are carrying out operation in Balochistan as if they are fighting against the army of an enemy country.”

He said that the use of force in Balochistan was posing a threat to the country’s sovereignty.

“Wrong policies of the rulers of the past led to the division of the country, hence, the same situation can again occur if the government does not rectify its policy towards Balochistan,” the press release quoted the ANP chief as having said.

If such a situation happened again, the responsibility for the tragedy, he added, would rest with President General Pervez Musharraf.

He said that the manner in which the government was using force in Balochistan had forced the people of Balochistan to adopt ‘necessary measures’ to protect their lives, properties, honour and fundamental rights.

“Certain elements do not want return of normalcy to Balochistan and President Musharraf has exposed the country to a danger by helping them to achieve their designs,” said Mr Wali.

The parliamentary committee, he added, constituted to find a solution to the Balochistan crisis had not yet tabled its report before the parliament.

The government, he said, had launched the crackdown in Balochistan even without waiting for the outcome of the parliamentary committee’s negotiations [with Baloch leaders].

He demanded of the government to stop the operation in Dera Bugti. He also assured his party’s support to the people of Balochistan in their struggle for protecting their fundamental rights, lives and assets.

“The ANP is with the people of Balochistan and would never let them alone in their difficult time,” said Asfandyar Wali.