QUETTA: A main leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Lashkari Raisani, has said that his party would withdraw its support for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government if its six-point demands are not implemented.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Quetta Press Club on Wednesday to welcome newly elected president of the Federal Union of Journalists Shahzada Zulfiqar, the former senator said the BNP-M had lent its support to the PTI government because it had pledged to address the party’s demands.

“Federal governments always think about natural resources of Balochistan instead of paying attention to removing the sense of deprivation among the people of the province. Balochistan has value for the Centre not more than a bottle of mineral water,” he said.

“Despite having sprawling land mass and mammoth natural resources, our province is being neglected by the Centre leading to differences between Balochistan and the state.”

Mr Raisani termed the election of Mr Zulfiqar as PFUJ president an honour for Balochistan and assured him of his party’s full support.

He stressed the need for unity among politicians, journalists, writers and intellectuals to secure provincial rights.

In his address on the occasion, the PFUJ president vowed to play a role in making environment for print and electronic media in Pakistan conducive.

He strongly condemned the recent besieging of Dawn offices in Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2019