KARACHI, Aug 31: Elder politician Yusuf A. Haroon has condoled with the family of Nawab Akbar Bugti who was reportedly killed in a military operation at the weekend. A statement issued by him on Thursday says that in 1947, just before partition, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah spoke to an assembly of legislators and working committee members of the All India Muslim League, cautioning them about the road ahead and what was needed to further the needs, interests and governmental goals for Pakistan.

Balochistan, Mr Haroon said, was a sensitive province, and he reminded the assembly that even the British dealt with them with great caution. He advised the assembled leadership to always respect their traditions and to deal with them with love and affection. ‘Honour the Baloch’ and remember with what great difficulty the area has been conjoined to Pakistan.

“It is with great regret that we have witnessed the killing of my friend Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, contrary to the sagacious advice of the Quaid. This deviation from our leader’s advice does not bode well for the security of our country and causes deep misgivings in my mind.

“I condole with the Baloch nation and with the family of the late Nawab, and urge the government not to follow Imperial rules, and to hand over the body for a public funeral. Let us not forget the Quaid: we are living in a free land and are entitled to our rights.”