PESHAWAR: National Party chief Mir Hasil Bizenjo said here on Sunday that use of force by Baloch militants was not acceptable.

“We have been telling Baloch youths that the use of force would not solve anything,” Bizenjo told his party’s provincial convention held at Nishtar Hall.

The convention was also attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch.

The NP chief said that it was not easy to resolve issues between establishment and radicals. Answering a question about Baloch people’s right of self-determination raised by one of the participants, the NP chief said that it was an era of integration, and not disintegration.

He called for revival of the left, saying that only it had the potential to provide a platform for the distracted youth. He said that the current predicament of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also the result of the left’s demise.

He said that religious fundamentalists had captured the space provided by the leftist movements.

He said that NP was ready to arrange a moot of all the political parties where they could join hands to separate themselves from corruption and terrorism.

All Balochistan roads now safe for travel, says CM Abdul Malik

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said on the occasion that they had turned the virtually dysfunctional government in Balochistan into a functioning one.

He said that they had eradicated the suicide bombings and kidnapping for ransom in Quetta and now every road in the province was safe for travel.

He said that there were about 72 gangs involved in cases of kidnapping for ransom in Quetta.

He said that despite coalition his government was doing its best to ensure merit in the province.

“We are recruiting about 5,000 teachers through NTS, while previously vacancies were sold,” he said, adding that his government had also organised the Public Service Commission.

He said that the Balochistan government was giving over Rs13 billion subsidy to farmers, while Kachi Canal would be opened in December which would irrigate about 58,000 acres in Dera Bugti area.

He said that his party was opposed to feudalism, dictatorship and religious fundamentalism and wanted that resources of the province should be used on its population.

He said that his party was the representative of the repressed masses of the country and asked the workers to spread the message to the people.

Party’s central secretary general Yaseen Baloch, KP president Mukhtar Bacha and other leaders also spoke at the meeting.

Party’s new provincial setup was also announced on this occasion.

The new cabinet includes Mukhtar Bacha as president, Idrees Khattak general secretary, Zabardast Khan and Malik Niaz Zakhakhel vice-presidents, Gul Raees finance secretary, Taimur Kamal secretary information, Gul Rehman labour secretary, Shaheen Qamar women’s affairs secretary and Ali Haider culture secretary.

Mr Bizenjo administered oath to the newly-appointed provincial office-bearers.

Locals artists also performed on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2015

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