QUETTA, June 6: Deputy Speaker of the Balochistan assembly Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, has severely criticised the use of force to resolve the crisis in his province and called upon the federal government to initiate a process of negotiations.

Addressing a press conference in his chamber here on Tuesday, Mr Bhootani supported MMA’s demand for ending the military operation, thereby indicating that even ardent Leaguers are not satisfied with the way the government is handling the unrest in Balochistan.

Mr Bhootani also supported MMA’s point of view on the financial crisis faced by the province and its opposition to the merger of Levies into police.

He said that the Balochistan crisis could not be described as a problem of just three sardars. “They are not mere sardars. They are also major political leaders who enjoy mass support,” Mr Bhootani said.

Commenting on conditions set by the provincial governor for initiating talks, he said no Baloch would ever lay down his arms. “Sardars will prefer death to surrender. It is against Baloch traditions,” he said.

The deputy speaker said that the government should initiate negotiations to resolve the issues faced by the province.

Referring to MMA’s demands, he said: “I fully support all issues raised by MMA legislators in the provincial assembly before they boycotted the assembly’s current session.”

He said that nationalist parties and the PPP had made similar suggestion but Islamabad paid no attention.

Mr Bhootani said that Balochistan’s cabinet and the assembly had opposed the Levies-police merger.

Referring to the financial crisis faced by the province, the deputy speaker said that instead of providing relief and financial assistance, the federal government was forcing the province to repay loans provided on very high interest rates.

He also criticised the federal government for deducting Rs1.5 billion from the province’s share of gas income and said that protection of strategic installations was centre’s responsibility and it should not withhold anything from the province’s share on that account.

He also supported nationalist parties’ demand for royalty on Pakistan-Iran-India gas pipeline.