ISLAMABAD, July 16: Opposition Leader in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani has issued the following press statement:

Senator Shahid Bugti has been placed under virtual house arrest in Quetta without warrants of arrest. In the early hours of this morning the police surrounded his house and no body is being allowed to come move in or leave. This act of the regime is condemned in the strongest terms.

It will be recalled that on Friday the brother of Senator Bugti was picked up and the next day his cousin was also arrested. Till date their whereabouts are not known. This act of the regime is condemned and it is demanded that their whereabouts be informed and be released forthwith.

The regime must realize that the continued political victimisation of the Balouch leadership is not the solution to the problem. Today the province is faced with a political crisis where the only solution is through dialogue. The use of state force has only aggravated the situation and deepened the feeling of alienation in the people.

It is a paradox that only a few days ago the prime minister holds a meeting to review the recommendations of the Parliamentary committee on Balouchistan and on its heel the victimisation of the political leadership starts. This is not the first time that the political process no matter how feeble has been derailed. The regime is no longer in control of the situation.

The federation is under severe strain and the military action in the province must be stopped immediately.

Those arrested must be released and those missing the regime must disclose their whereabouts and deal with them in accordance with law. The only answer lies in political dialogue for which the time is running out fast and the consequences will be the responsibility of the regime.