QUETTA: Meaningful dialogue is essential for lasting peace and stability in Balochistan, National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said.

Speaking at a public gathering in PB-43, held in connection with Eidul Fitr to welcome new leaders and youths into the party at the residence of MPA Kulsoom Niaz Baloch on Wednesday, he urged all political parties to engage in dialogue and press the government to recover all missing persons. He maintained that Balochistan was experiencing a period of turmoil and warned that the situation is deteriorating with the passage of time.

Dr Malik Baloch, who is a former chief minister of Balochistan, highlighted that the National Party would not compromise on the people’s right to governance and democratic freedoms.

He said that his party’s philosophy is rooted in national and class struggle and that coercion or force would never be accepted. He noted that ultimate pow­er rests with the people, and governance sho­u­ld remain with elected representatives.

Referring to history, Dr Malik said political parties and ideologies cannot be suppressed by use of force. While past dictators like Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Ziaul Haq, and Pervez Musharraf are gone, leaders such as Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo and Mula Bakhsh Dashti continue to be remembered.

Criticising previous elections, he claimed that public mandates were manipulated through rigging, placing leaders with no connection to the people in power. He reiterated that the NP champions public control over reso­urces and would continue its democratic struggle.

On regional matters, the former chief minister condemned the aggression of the US and Israel against Iran and urged the international community to play its role in establishing peace. He also emphasised that disputes between Pakistan and Afghanistan should be resolved through dialogue rather than conflict. The former CM announced plans to complete the Quetta organisational structure after the central committee meeting to strengthen the party’s framework.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2026

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