ISLAMABAD: Former Balochistan chief minister Dr Abdul Malik on Saturday expressed concern over the law and order situation in Balochistan, and said solution to the crisis lies in providing more political space to dissidents .

“The situation in Balochistan demands a shift towards dialogue and away from force when dealing with political dissent,” he said.

Dr Malik who is also the president of National Party (NP) was speaking at an event where a large number of hazara and locals of Islamabad joined the National Party.

These Hazara people have been forced to leave Quetta due to decade-long law and order situation there. The former CM Balochistan said that his party believes in democracy, supremacy of the parliament, more powers to the people and an end to the elite capture of the country.

“The 2024 elections were a debacle for democracy and many people in Balochistan were elected who themselves expressed amazement at the results,” he said and gave the examples of those who were elected from Hazara town, Quetta and some other seats in his province.

After highlighting the reforms and initiatives taken during his tenure as the CM from June 2013 to December 2015, young educated Baloch and Hazara youth bcame officers in the provincial services.

However, he added that education brings awareness and aware youth become disgruntled and start raising voice against injustice and corruption.

He slammed the authorities for injustices to Hazara residents of Quetta, as many have been denied the right to possess CNICs.

“Internet service was not available in most of Balochistan for more than a month and the gap between the state and the youth was rising, which is not good for anybody even the political parties of the province,” he said.

The president of the National Party said that students and the youngsters of Balochistan were facing more struggle compared to their competitors due to the conditions in the province.

The speakers highlighted that the authorities needed to opt for negotiations instead of launching operations and control corruption to reduce the economic hardships faced by the ordinary citizens.

Those who spoke at the occasion included Waja Pulain Baloch, MNA, National Party,

Malik Ayub, president NP Punjab, Ramzan Ali Hazara, Jamil Ahmed, Nasir Zaidi and others.

Earlier, a delegation of the NP visited the protesters camp of Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) to express solidarity with their demands that includes release of Dr Mahrang Baloch.

Talking to Dawn, Dr Malik said the state had to show leniency with the female political prisoners including the leaders of the BYC.

“Only negotiations and political dialogue can end crisis. Almost all issues were settled in 2014 and 2015- when we initiated talks with the disgruntled elements and they were ready to shun violence, some were even ready to return to the country,” the former CM said, adding, “But Islamabad stopped short of the final decision and we see the results, now the law and order situation is becoming difficult to manage,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2025