ISLAMABAD, Aug 28: Leader of the Opposition in Senate Raza Rabbani has said that state repression is continuing and the political workers in Balochistan are being hounded. The PPP leader, in a statement, condemned in strongest terms the arrest of Senator Dr Abdul Malik.

He said the respect this regime had for political workers was evident from the targeted killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti and the fact that, in violation of Islamic traditions, our culture and internationally recognised norms the dead body had not been given to the family for burial. This act is condemned and it is demanded that immediately the body be handed over to the family, he added.

Mr Rabbani said in light of the political cleansing carried out by the regime, the policy of oppression should have been stopped but the arrest of Senator Malik, MPAs and political workers continued. It is demanded that they all be released immediately.

“In the aftermath of Nawab Bugti’s death the regime must realise that it is playing with fire and the political backlash will have serious consequences for the federation.”

The publication by a US think-tank of a map showing new geographical boundaries of Pakistan excluding Balochistan and parts of NWFP needs to be taken seriously and should be condemned at the same time. It is strange that the regime has not reacted to this, he added.