September 06, 2006	Wednesday	Sha'aban 12, 1427

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LAHORE, Sept 5: The Punjab PPP executive committee at a meeting here on Tuesday called for an end to the ongoing military operation in Balochistan, and condemned in strongest terms president Musharraf’s assertion that now the government would target the chiefs of Marri and Mengal tribes.

They said the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti had alienated the people of Balochistan, and in case the general carried out his threat, the unity of the country would be endangered.

Acting president Ghulam Abbas presided over the meeting at the party’s Faisal Town secretariat.

Information secretary Farzana Raja told reporters that all participants had disliked the Punjab chief minister’s unqualified support to all acts of Gen Musharraf, and said such a backing would send very negative signals from the country’s biggest province to the one where the military operation was in progress.

She said the way the chief minister was ‘representing’ the army, it would be better for the authorities concerned to appoint him as director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Ghulam Abbas said the PPP would counter all steps being taken by Gen Musharraf against the country’s unity.

He called for an end to the military operation in Balochistan and the return of the armed forces to the barracks.

Secretary-general Rana Aftab Ahmad said the PPP and other opposition parties stood by the people of Balochistan.

The participants also reviewed preparations for the Sept 10 public meeting to be held at the Minar-i-Pakistan.

The PPP leaders claimed that people from all districts would reach Lahore to attend the meeting and express solidarity with the people of Balochistan.

“This meeting will shake the rulers,” said Farzana Raja, expressing confidence that it would be the biggest ever as regards people’s participation.

Iqbal Sialvi was also present at the news conference.