January 14, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 13, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 13: Balochistan National Party President Sardar Akhtar Mengal has called for “international mediation” with a view to resolve the simmering Balochistan crisis saying that Balochs are not ready to negotiate with either President General Musharraf or his hand-picked government.

“We appeal to all those countries, which pretend to be the exponent of humanity and peace, to intervene into the matter immediately,” Mr Mengal said while addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Friday. BNP Karachi President Zahid Baloch and Sindh committee member Hameed Baloch were also present.

Rebutting the government’s claim as regards end of military action in Balochistan, Akhtar Mengal said that military operation was still going on in various parts of the province during which scores of innocent civilians had been killed and wounded.

He regretted that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a major coalition partner in Sindh and Centre, had withdrawn its ultimatum without consulting the oppressed people of Balochistan.

“Those who are part of the government today should not forget the fact that they will not remain in power forever. When they will be out of power tomorrow, they may face the same situation, which we are facing today,” he remarked.

“The MQM should have consulted us before withdrawing its ultimatum because the operation is still continuing and the brutal killing of 12 innocent civilians in Dera Bugti two days ago is a glaring example of that,” he said.

He rejected the government’s claim that Baloch insurgents had links to Indian intelligence agencies saying they were not Balochs who had the external support, but it was Pakistan army, which with the help of external forces, had been crushing the resistance for Baloch national cause.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal said that the ruthless policies of Islamabad had left no other option for Balochs but to do or die for their rights. He held army responsible for the tragedy of East Pakistan.

“If army’s role in national politics is not eliminated, it may lead to another tragedy like East Pakistan. And if it happens, army will solely be responsible,” he said.

He said that army had destroyed several houses of civilians in Kohlu and Dera Bugti in the name of training camps.

Quoting the statement of Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao, he said that 4,000 “terrorists” had so far been arrested during the ongoing operation from different parts of Balochistan.

About parliamentary committee on Balochistan, he termed it powerless and observed that any further expectations from that committee would be waste of time.—Online