June 15, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, June 14: Former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto on Wednesday condemned the victimisation of former Balochistan chief minister Akhtar Mengal and warned that chasing and hounding of Baloch leaders for political dissent could have serious repercussions for the federation.

In a statement, the PPP chairperson criticized the policy of seeking to eliminate political leaders through abuse of judicial system. She said such narrow-minded tactics had also failed in the past leading to the disintegration of the country.

An anti-terrorist court in Karachi declared the other day Akhtar Mengal a proclaimed offender and also ordered attachment of his entire movable and immovable property.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who is also chief of Balochistan National Party (BNP), was earlier declared absconder in a case registered by the security agencies.

Ms Bhutto said that it was shocking to note how the regime was dealing with the political issues in Balochistan. Political issues can be resolved only through political means and use of force is counterproductive, she said. She expressed the fear that turmoil in Baluchistan might spill over into Sindh.

Declaring Akhtar Mengal a proclaimed offender and placing legislators of the Baloch nationalist parties on the Exit Control List is a violation of the fundamental rights of freedom to travel, she said.

It also mocks the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan that recommended several political measures for defusing the Baloch tension, she added. The continued victimisation of Balochistan National Party, a secular and moderate force, is aimed at strengthening theocratic elements, she said.