QUETTA, Feb 28: Tribal elder Wadera Sher Baz Marri has joined the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and demanded that military operation in Dera Bugti and Kohlu be stopped and the issue be resolved through dialogue.

Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, he said innocent people were facing hardship in Kohlu. The best way to solve problems, he said, was talks.

JUI MNA Maulana Noor Mohammad said the country was facing serious problems because of what he called unwise policies of the Musharraf government. Answering a question, he conceded that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s ministers in Balochistan were powerless.

He demanded autonomy for the federating units in accordance with demands of political groups in the smaller provinces. He said denial of provincial autonomy was causing disharmony between the centre and the provinces.