August 30, 2006	Wednesday	Sha'aban 5, 1427

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PESHAWAR, Aug 29: The Alliance for Protection of Human Rights (APHR) has condemned the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, his relatives and associates in a military operation at Kohlu on Saturday last.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, the alliance comprising eight civil society organisations Human Resource Management and Development Centre, Sustainable Participatory Organisation, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Khwendo Kor, Sungi, Shirkat Gah, Noor Education Trust and Aurat Foundation, termed the killing a highly condemnable and unfortunate incident.

Criticizing the government policies on Balochistan and North Waziristan, the APHR said the use of force had never helped solving political problems.

“The assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti will weaken the pro-federation forces and further complicate the problem in the restive areas of Balochistan,” it said.

Flaying the Kohlu Operation and the action in North Waziristan, the APHR said that the country was passing through a very difficult phase because of the situation in Balochistan and North Waziristan.

“The killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti will endanger the national unity. The physical elimination of opponents is not going to improve the situation, but inflame the anti-federation sentiments,” feared the rights body.

The alliance urged the government to turn to the dialogue to clear the mess in Balochistan and North Waziristan.

“The political discourse is the only means to bring Balochistan and North Waziristan out of the present trouble,” said the APHR.