QUETTA, June 18: Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) chief Nawab Akbar Bugti Chief has reiterated his call for merger of the Baloch nationalist parties into a single party while clarifying that he does not want to the parties to merge into his JWP. He said that the Baloch nationalist parties had welcomed the proposal but admitted that ‘turning the idea into reality seems to be difficult.’

Talking to journalists in his home town Dera Bugti on Saturday, he said that his idea aimed at ‘collectively countering the anti-Baloch forces to protect the rights of Baloch masses.’

He further said that the political future of the Baloch people required that the nationalist parties should dissolve themselves and form a single platform to struggle for the cause of the people.

The JWP leader said that he had floated the proposal keeping in view the wish of the Baloch masses that the nationalists should create a united platform, reflecting the aspirations of the people, and determine a line of action.

Nawab Bugti said: “My objective is betterment of the Baloch and the unity call neither aims at hurting the heart of others nor at strengthening the JWP.”

Talking about the response to his proposal, he said that the factions of the Baloch Students Organization, political workers, writers and intellectuals had lauded the idea.

When asked to comment on the contacts made by some members of the provincial coalition with the opposition parties, he said that there were differences in the ranks of the Pakistan Muslim League and ‘some of the leaguers have invited the opposition MPAs to join the coalition.’

Nawab Bugti added: “Some opposition MPAs feel that if they join the government, it will make implementation of the recommendations of the parliamentary committee on Balochistan easier.

However, he said: “Opportunist individuals may gain from assuming power but it will not benefit the Baloch masses, therefore, we put the question before the people whether the opposition should join the government or not.”

The firebrand leader said: “Anybody who talks to us on the issue, cannot satisfy us.”

CONFERENCE: Speakers on the concluding day of the two-day Dawat-i-Islami conference here on Friday urged Muslims to follow the teaching of Islam and seek guidance from the Holy Quran.