July 28, 2006	Friday	Rajab 1, 1427

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QUETTA, July 27: Central Executive Committee of National Party (NP) has called upon the nationalist, democratic and progressive forces to get united on a two-point agenda to “save the federation and restore real democracy”.

“Continued brutality” against the Marris and the Bugtis would harm the integrity of the state, said NP chief Dr Hayee Baloch while addressing newsmen at Quetta Press Club on Thursday.

He said in its two-day meeting, party’s Central Executive Committee discussed the “alarming” situation in Balochistan owing to the military operation in Dera Bugti and Kohlu.

“The history is witness to the fact that the use of force has never succeeded in suppressing the political struggle backed by the masses,” he said.

“A sovereign status for the Baloch, right to own Balochistan’s resources and protection of the Baloch national identity are the matters of life and death for the Baloch, and there would be no compromise on them,” he said.

The NP chief said the federation had always treated Balochistan as its colony rather than a federating unit. He alleged that intelligence agencies had arrested hundreds of political workers while hundreds of others were missing. Innocent people were tortured to give up political struggle, he added.

He called for an immediate end to the military operation in the areas of the Bugtis and the Marris as well as release of political activists.

Dr Hayee said that the opposition parties should unite for the sake of saving the federation and restoring real democracy.

He hailed the signing of the Charter of Democracy and described it as an important change in the political culture of the country. He also lauded ARD’s decision to bring a no-trust motion against the prime minister and said the MMA and Ponam should pave way for the motion.

He warned that if the power was not handed over to people’s representatives, the present set-up could be toppled through street power.