KARACHI: Pir Sahib Pagaro, President, United Democratic Front, yesterday [May 23] suggested that a fact-finding mission, comprising the Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Army, a judge of the Supreme Court, a neutral politician of repute and integrity, and Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, should be sent immediately to Baluchistan to survey the entire area and find out the correct situation.

In a statement … he said … that the problems of the Baluchs were either political or humanitarian — political because the majority was being denied the right to run the affairs of the province, and humanitarian because food was being denied to a very large section of the people as a measure of political revenge. He assured the people of Baluchistan that the UDF would not remain a silent spectator to the tragedy being enacted for them. He warned the Government to change its approach… . — Staff Reporter

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from New Delhi,] the Indian Government was reported … to be concerned that part of the “massive” American arms deliveries to Iran might reach Pakistan. The Government has refrained from public comment … but the daily “Statesman” … wrote … that India has good reason to regard it with “caution”.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2023