KARACHI, July 26: Baloch activists of various parties and NGOs staged a rally here on Wednesday for the release of all Baloch people detained illegally by government agencies in various parts of the country. They also condemned the ongoing military action in Balochistan.

Carrying banners and placards, the activists converged on the Karachi Press Club and raised slogans against Gen Musharraf and the federal government for subjecting Balochistan population to ‘brutal military actions’.

Addressing the rally, leaders of various parties and groups strongly condemned the aerial bombardment on civilians in the Marri and Bugti areas in which many innocent people, including women and children, had been killed. They deplored that a large number of local people had been forced to move out of these areas and take shelter in the adjoining districts and Sindh.

They claimed that the situation in Balochistan was no different from that of Lebanon these days.

Asked the government to stop the military action immediately, they said the people of Balochistan would not accept the colonial status for their native land.

Accusing the government of using chemical weapons in its ‘war’ against Baloch people, they called upon the international organizations, including human rights bodies, to fulfill their obligations in this regard, and also exert pressures on Pakistani rulers to desist from committing further atrocities and human rights violations.

They reiterated their resolve to fight the dictatorial regime, saying that people of Balochistan would never surrender their politico-economic rights, including the right of self-rule.

The rally, which was organised by the Baloch Prisoners Release Committee, was addressed by BNM President Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, JWP leaders Rafiq Khoso and Shehzad Zafar, besides Jan Baloch, Wahab Baloch, Zahid Barakzai and others.