KARACHI, April 8: The defence residence of Balochistan National Party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal was besieged again on Saturday as police did not allow visitors and party workers to meet him. National Workers Party Secretary-General Yusuf Mustikhan and Jeay Sindh Mahaz (JSM) chairmen Abdul Khalique Junejo said they went to the house of Akhtar to see him but they were stopped by government agencies.
However, both the leaders were allowed to meet Sardar Ataullah Mengal at his Khyaban-i-Sehr residence. They discussed the situation arising out of Wednesday’s sieg of Akhtar Mengal’s house and arrests of his guard and driver.
Talking to Dawn, Yusuf Mustikhan condemned the government attitude towards Baloch leaders, saying it would further widen the gulf between Balochs and armed forces.
Mustikhan said political issues could not be resolved by use of force rather it would create bitterness and hatred among the people.
Mr Mustikhan further stated that the problems in Balochistan could not have been aggravated, had the government changed its old perception and mindset.
He went on to say that problems could be resolved in a congenial environment through dialogue and for this initiative could be taken by the government by immediately stopping hostilities and victimisation, releasing all political workers and accepting Baloch people’s political and economic rights.
According to JSM chairman, Abdul Khalique Junejo, he was not allowed to meet Sardar Akhtar Mengal, despite the fact that he showed his card.
Mr Junejo said the duty officials informed him that they were prohibited to do so by the higher authorities. However, he was allowed to meet Sardar Ataullah Mengal, the chief of Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement (Ponam) at his house.
The JSM leader said the Baloch leaders were being punished by the government because they were not ready to surrender their rights of political as well as economic rights, including rights of ownership on their resources and right of self-determination.
