QUETTA, Feb 7: The president of the National Party, Dr Hayee Baloch, has demanded an immediate end to the ongoing operation in Dera Bugti and Kohlu areas and withdrawal of forces. He also called for withdrawal of cases filed against Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

Speaking at a meeting of party workers here on Tuesday, he said that the government was committing a big mistake by using force for resolving the political issue of Balochistan, ignoring the advice of political parties and people to resolve the issue by political means.

“The rulers have changed Dera Bugti and Kohlu areas into ruins through the military operation in the name of action against so-called outlaw camps,” Dr Hayee said, adding that the people of these areas were migrating to other places along with their families and livestock.

He said that the government was not paying heed to protests being staged by human rights organizations, political parties and people of the country against the violation of human rights in Balochistan.

Mr Hayee said that the government had also ignored the demand of all opposition parties made in parliament for ending the operation in Dera Bugti and Kohlu and initiating negotiations for resolving the issue of Balochistan.

He said that elected institutions always played an important role in resolving political issues but the government was sabotaging the efforts being made by political parties and was ignoring the resolutions adopted by parliament and the provincial assembly.

“The rulers are not ready to recognize the rights of the people of the province on their resources and wanted to crush them by force,” Dr Hayee said. He warned that such a policy would be disastrous for the country.

The nationalist leader also demanded that Islamabad should recognize the right of the people of Balochistan on their coastline and natural resources.

He also said that all cases registered against Nawab Bugti should be withdrawn and political leaders should be released. He said that efforts should be made to create conducive atmosphere for negotiations.