QUETTA, March 15: Awami Jamhoori Tehrik leader Farooq Tariq has urged the government to stop military operations in Balochistan and Waziristan and resolve the issues through dialogue.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, he said six progressive parties had formed the tehrik to wage struggle to strengthen political and democratic institutions and protect the rights of labourers.

He said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal was part of the ruling coalition in Balochistan but its leadership was staging demonstrations in Punjab against the government to deceive people.

He said the AJT’s programme called for transfer of all subjects except defence, currency and foreign affairs to the federating units to develop better working relationship between the centre and the provinces.

He said salaries of the working class should be increased and the minimum salary of a worker should be fixed at Rs10,000 per month.

He opposed privatization of profit-making government institutions and demanded annulment of anti-minority laws.