QUETTA: Rallies were held across Balochistan on Thursday in protest against a statement by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about what he called “independence movement in the province”. And it was Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri who summed up the mood at these rallies when he declared: “The whole of the province today is protesting against the controversial statement.”

The protest rallies were organised in many cities and towns of the province, notable among them being Quetta, Chaman, Dera Bugti, Pishin, Khuzdar, Dalbandin, Nushki, Mastung, Hub, Sibi, Dera Allahyar and Dera Murad Jamali.

Mr Modi had recently declared in a speech that he had received messages of appreciation from people who were part of the “Balochistan independence movement” over his act of describing the “plight of the Baloch”.

Speaking in Quetta at a demonstration, which was organised by students of various universities and colleges, Mr Zehri described the rallies on Thursday as a “referendum against the so-called independence movement and against those who claim to be the representatives of the Baloch and who are sitting abroad, enjoying a luxurious life”.

The chief minister said the statement by Brahamdagh Bugti, in which he had supported Mr Modi’s remarks, proved that India, through different terrorist activities, was trying to destabilise and dismember Pakistan. And some elements were helping the enemy for their petty interests.

“Even after dozens of days of curfew since the martyrdom of Burhan Wani in Kashmir, you (Modi) could not lift the restrictions. This shows that you don’t even have the support of one per cent Kashmiris,” Mr Zehri said.

“The Kashmiris are protesting for their right to self-determination as per the UN resolutions while in Balochistan there is only a small group which is working at the behest of the enemy.”

“We are the heirs of Balochistan and Pakistan,” he said. “Our forefathers joined Pakistan wholeheartedly and Pakistan will always remain intact.”

Balochistan is being run by a democratically elected government, he said and added: “Pak Army is ours and we will not tolerate Indian interference in our internal matters.”

Provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on the occasion said that Pakistan was facing the machinations of a “dishonoured enemy”.

“Modi’s statement is concrete evidence that Indian agency RAW is involved in terrorist activities in Balochistan,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2016