January 1, 2006	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 29, 1426

KARACHI, Dec 31: The Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, on Friday slammed the killing of innocent people in Kohlu and Dera Bugti during firing by security forces and called for an immediate halt to the ongoing military operation in Balochistan.

In a statement, Mr Hussain said that uncalled-for indiscriminate use of forces anywhere was unacceptable as it affected innocent people and had a negative impact on society and the country’s integrity.

He alleged that on the pretext of apprehending a few people, innocent Balochis, including men and women were being targeted. He called it outrageous and condemned the targeting of Nawab Akbar Bugti’s residence in Dera Bugti.

Mr Hussain said that despite having serious disputes with India, even going to war with her resulting in the killing of many people besides incurring economic losses, the government was trying to engage India in composite dialogue for resolving outstanding issues. Why can’t a similar approach be adopted in the case of Balochistan, and why can’t the estranged citizens of Pakistan be engaged in a dialogue process, he asked.

He, therefore, demanded an immediate end to the ongoing military operation in Kohlu and Dera Bugti, which he said was not in the national interest.

He also demanded lifting of ban on the visit of journalists and other NGOs from visiting the affected areas in Kohlu and Dera Bugti.