ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq on Monday painted a bleak picture of Balochistan, terming the situation there more serious than the political standoff in Islamabad.

Talking to the media in the JI office here, Sirajul Haq said the situation in the largest province of the country was getting out of control.

Know more: Islamabad’s attitude towards provinces threaten country’s stability: JI chief

“The CM Balochistan himself told me that people living in Turbat and adjoining areas are fed up with the living conditions there and have decided to migrate to Iran.”

He said Mr Malik was trying to persuade the Baloch people not to leave the country.

He maintained that the ordinary people there saw no future for themselves.

The JI chief was speaking after his visit to Quetta where he addressed a rally held to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.

He said the lack of infrastructure and growth opportunities, poverty, illiteracy and poor security situation were some of the issues Balochistan was facing.

“This is because all the decisions with regard to Balochiatan are taken in Islamabad and implemented through a dummy government there,” he said, adding: “Now after being pushed to the wall the Balochi youths have taken a wrong path for which they cannot be blamed.” He stressed the need for bringing the militants back to the mainstream to improve the situation there.

Published in Dawn, September 9th , 2014