Accord to launch joint movement: Opposition meeting in Quetta
By Amanullah Kasi
QUETTA: Sept 19: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement, Awami National Party and Tehrik Insaf have called for empowering the provinces to control their resources and agreed to launch a ‘decisive’ anti-Musharraf movement in a few weeks.
Raja Zafarul Haq chaired a joint meeting of the ARD, PONM, ANP and TI held at the Sarawan House on Tuesday. The meeting discussed the political and economic situation in the country, particularly the alarming situation in Balochistan in the aftermath of the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti.
Nafees Siddiqui, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Nawabzada Mansoor Ali Khan and Amanullah Kanrani of the ARD, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Abdur Rahim Mandokhel, Dr Hayee Baloch and Majid Kanjo of the PONM, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour of the ANP and Imran Khan of the TI, attended the meeting.
Raja Zafar told newsmen that the meeting discussed the future line of action of opposition parties and problems faced by the people.
He said that representatives of different parties unanimously demanded empowering of the federating units to control their resources, democratic rule, autonomy for the provinces, participation of all provinces in the process of decision-making and framing of foreign and domestic policies and immediate end to military operation.
He said that the meeting decided that Punjab would have to play a vital role in the movement against the dictatorship in order to save the federation and maintain harmony between Punjab and smaller provinces.
He said that the ARD would launch a movement from Punjab against the Musharraf government, adding that the agitation would be started in a few weeks to save the political and democratic system.
About resignations from assemblies, Raja Zafar said there were differences only on the timing, adding that “we agreed to submit resignations at a time when the opposition alliance can paralyse the system so that neither the government can hold by-elections nor suppress the movement through use of force”.
He said that Monday’s gathering was a clear message to the government that the people would no more accept dictatorship, oppression, injustices, denial of rights to provinces, negation of democracy and humiliation of parliament.
He said that the killing of Nawab Bugti was a great loss to the nation, adding that the anger expressed by the people of Balochistan clearly stated that an improvement in the situation in the province would take time.
He referred to a report by an international crisis group which held the military intervention in Balochistan responsible for the present crisis.
He said that the Balochistan was a political issue and could be resolved through ‘dialogue’.
He asserted that if rights were given to the people of Balochistan, no one would raise slogans against the state, and said that the people of Balochistan were justified in demanding their just rights.
Responding to a question, Mr Mandokhel said that the PONM was against military rule and was struggling for restoration of democracy and autonomy for the provinces, adding that the PONM was coming closer to the ARD to launch a joint struggle.
BNP-M leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal said: “We presented our views in the meeting and hope that the representatives of Punjab would back us in the struggle against dictatorship.”
