KARACHI, Jan 14: Leaders representing different parties on Sunday paid tribute to the slain leader of the Baloch Ittehad Tehrik (BIT), Anwar Bhaijan, and condemned government policies towards Baloch people.
At a gathering held at Chawkiwara to mark the second death anniversary of Mr Bhaijan, the speakers also criticised the government for its failure to arrest killers of the assassinated leader.
Describing the BIT leader as a symbol of unity and peace, they regretted that a person who had always preached peace and love among people had been killed violently and the government had made no serious efforts to trace his killers.
Presided over by BIT chairman Yusuf Lasi, the meeting was addressed by MNA Nabil Gabol, MPA Rafique Engineer (PPP), Secretary-General of the National Party Hasil Khan Bizenjo, National Workers Party leaders Yusuf Mustikhan, Lal Bakhsh Rind alias Comrade Lala, Nasir Karim, prominent social worker of Lyari Sher Mohammad Raees and others.
Most of the speakers slammed the government’s policy towards the Baloch, saying that it did nothing for them irrespective of the fact they belonged to any part of the country.
They deplored that due to negligence, Lyari which is the oldest settlement of Karachi had been deprived of basic facilities and demanded justice and fair lay.
They also condemned the ongoing military operation in Balochistan and urged the government to stop the same immediately and find a political solution to the problem.
NP leader Mir Hasil Bizenjo said his party had been struggling for real democracy and equal rights of all the oppressed nationalities and classes.
He condemned the ongoing military operation in Balochistan and demanded recovery of all missing persons who were in the custody of government agencies.
Mr Bizenjo also demanded the release of all political leaders and workers, including Sardar Akhtar Mengal and withdrawal of cases against them.
National Workers Party Yusuf Mustikhan stressed the need for a new social contract among the federating units to steer out the country from the current crisis.
Mr Mustikhan said the imperialist forces were hatching conspiracies against Pakistan to capture its oil and gas resources and that Baloch people were being killed to usurp their natural and coastal resources.
PPP leader MNA Nabil Gabol said Anwar Bhaijan had been targeted by the crime mafia because he challenged it. Similarly, he added, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed because he opposed the policies of the rulers. MPA Rafiq Engineer said the PPP had always struggled for oppressed people of Pakistan and it fully support the struggle of the people of Balochistan for their national rights.
Ex-MNA Shakil Baloch, ex-senators Mir Tahir Bizenjo and Mir Mohammad Aslam Buledi from Balochistan were also present at the meeting to condole the death of the BIT leader.
The meeting also adopted various resolutions demanding re-opening of Anwar Bhaijan’s case and urged the Supreme Court to press the government for the recovery of missing Baloch activists.
A resolution condemned the sale of two islands to a foreign firm and urged the government to repeal the agreement.
The meeting also adopted a resolution regarding the K-3 water supply scheme and urged the government to ensure Lyari’s due share in the water scheme. It also called for effective measure to provide jobs to the youths of Lyari and an end to the deep-sea fishing.
