January 21, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 20, 1426

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QUETTA, Jan 20: Representatives of various political parties said here on Friday that extra-constitutional handling of political issues could harm relations between the federation and smaller nationalities and urged the government to stop the army action in Balochistan.

Speaking at 18th death anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, they said that Pakhtuns, Balochs and Sindhis had been denied their constitutional rights. The anniversary of the founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar Movement was held at Idara-i-Saqafat under the auspices of the ANP.

The speakers paid rich tributes to Bacha Khan for his struggle against the British Raj and, after the independence, against autocratic rulers and military the oligarchy to protect the rights and resources of the oppressed nationalities.

They said that members the Khidmatgar movement suffered untold hardships but never surrendered to the British colonialists. Praising the non-violence movement of Bacha Khan, they said that violence never resolved an issue.

They said that confrontation between political and religious groups in Afghanistan had provided opportunity to the United Nations Security Council to send international forces to Kabul. Similarly, they said, the tussle between the army and political forces in Pakistan could harm the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

They asserted that the political and constitutional instability in the country was the result of the overthrow of elected governments in 1958, 1969, 1977 and 1999.

They strongly condemned the use of aircraft, helicopters and sophisticated weapons by security forces in Kohlu and Dera Bugti and said that political issues, whether of Balochistan or any other part of the country, should be resolved politically.

The speakers urged political parties of the country to shun their ideological differences and forge unity against the dictatorship and for restoration of the parliament’s sovereignty.

They said there could be no stability in the country unless the federating units were given full autonomy.

Jamaluddin Rashtiya presided over the meeting while Malik Sarwar Piralizai and Arbab Zahir Kasi of ANP, Habib Jalib Baloch (BNP-M), Azizullah Advocate (NAP), Wahid Baloch (NP), Qadir Agha (PMAP), Sadullah Shah (PPP-Parliamentarians), Wasay Tareen of BBA, Amanullah Bazai, Karim Baryala and Obaidullah Darwesh were among the speakers.