QUETTA: The chief of his own faction of Balochistan National Party (BNP-M), Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, has said a final decision about the Murree agreement between coalition partners of Balochistan government should be taken soon in order to remove the sense of uncertainty in the province.

He said the mega projects planned for Balochistan, including the Gwadar port, would be acceptable to the people only after control of the province’s natural resources was handed over to it completely.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, he said: “It is important to take a decision pertaining to the Murree agreement on the fate of the provincial government in Balochistan as the current situation has created ambiguity and uncertainty.”

BNP-M chief praises Abdul Malik Baloch for expressing resolve to defend the rights of the province

He praised Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch for expressing his resolve to defend the rights of the province.

Referring to the issues of missing persons and targeted killings, Sardar Mengal said he had submitted six points in the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2010 to resolve the issues.

“The issues of missing persons and targeted killings in Balochistan could be resolved in a better way if the six points were accepted and implemented in letter and spirit,” he said, adding that confusion could also be noticed on the judicial side on the matter.

Replying to a question, he said the government would have to take a clear stance on whether or not it took the estranged Baloch activists as terrorists before opening negotiations with them.

He said the federal government should devolve all powers to the provinces after the passage of 18th Constitutional Amendment. “When the 18th amendment has been passed, then why Balochistan is not being given full control of its natural resources and powers on mega projects,” he asked.

He said that mega projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be acceptable when Balochistan was given complete powers to take decisions about them.

“I and my party want full control of Balochistan over its natural resources and mega projects,” he added.

Criticising the role of the Balochistan Assembly, he said that it had violated the rules and conduct of business by supporting handover of 5,000 acres of land to Suparco.

He said that his party would never accept a project which could turn the Baloch into a minority in their own province.

He said his party would soon organise a two-day council session to elect its new organising body.

On the occasion, a number of former officer-bearers of the Baloch Students Organisation (BSO) led by Javed Baloch announced their decision to join BNP-M.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2015