KARACHI, Dec 30: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has demanded immediate release of BNP leader Akhtar Mengal and all other Baloch political leaders and activists, and said that the government should start negotiations with them to improve the situation in Balochistan.

“Instead of adopting a ‘war strategy’ to resolve the Balochistan issue, efforts should focus on a dialogue with leaders of that province,” Mr Hussain said in a statement from London on Saturday.

“We should avoid use of force and try to get the wounds of the suppressed and oppressed people of the province healed,” he added.

He lamented that some central leaders of the leading party in the ruling coalition had advised the Afghanistan government that instead of drawing a war strategy in a neighbouring country, the government in Kabul should start negotiations with Taliban and Gulbadin Hikmatyar.

“Giving advices is a good thing but those who have given this advice are Pakistanis who, instead of issuing advices to others, should focus more on the deteriorating conditions in their own country,” he remarked, and pointed out that the Pakistan government had, after ceasefire in Waziristan, entered into a peace treaty with the elders of that area.

In reply to a question that whether these leaders are not aware of the worsening Balochistan situation and the difficulties being faced by the people there, Mr Hussain said giving advices and suggestions was the right of every citizen of Pakistan.

“The situation demands that Balochistan be given priority… the government must release all the detained Baloch leaders and start talks with them,” he stressed.