KHUZDAR: Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) president Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal has said that the federal and provincial governments should remove apprehensions of Baloch people about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Addressing a press conference at the residence of BNP-M leader Saeed Mengal in the industrial town of Hub, he said his party would not accept any development project which would turn the Baloch people into a minority in Balochistan.

He said there would be a negative impact on national unity by what he called discriminatory attitude of the government towards the Baloch people. He alleged that the Baloch people were being treated like second-class citizens in the country.

Mr Mengal said unless the government did not remove the Baloch people’s reservations over development projects in Balochistan, his party would continue to oppose them.

Talking about the government’s reaction over the statement of the Indian prime minister on Balochistan, he said instead of protesting against India the country’s rulers should work to remove the sense of deprivation among people of the province.

The BNP-M president claimed that some elements wanted to plunge Balochistan into anarchy and darkness. But, he said, his party would resist all such moves and work for the development of the province. Development in Pakistan was linked with peace in Balochistan, he added.

Answering a question, he said the provincial assembly had failed to raise voice for the basic rights of Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2016