KARACHI, Oct 22: Leaders of the National Party at a gathering stressed the need for unity of all democratic forces of the country without which, they believed, no popular movement against the present rulers could succeed.

“It’s time that all democratic and patriotic forces of the country join hands, quit the assemblies and announce a joint action plan to save the country from the curse of military rule,” they said.

Speaking at an Iftar party, hosted for NP leaders in Mulla Essa Goth, Malir, Dr Hayee Baloch, chief of the NP, paid tributes to the assassinated Baloch leader, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, and observed that he had laid down his life in his struggle for securing rights of Baloch people.

He said the Nawab’s commitment proved that Baloch people could never comprise on their national honour and rights and would prefer laying down their life instead of surrendering before usurpers.

“This is our history, and we have always followed our legacy,” he said, and warned the rulers to desist from using force against Baloch people who would never surrender their political and democratic rights.

Dr Baloch urged all opposition parties to launch a joint movement against military rule as there was no other option opened to them under the prevailing circumstances.

NP Secretary-General Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, PMA Jan Mohammad Buledi and a former provincial minister Hakeem Baloch were among others who spoke on the occasion.

Hasil Khan Bizenjo observed that the state of Pakistan had been turned into a ‘corporate group’ dominated by the army.

Urging the opposition forces to shun their compromising attitude, he called for join hands to launch a joint struggle against the dictatorship for the restoration of democracy, making it clear that the present rulers were not at all willing to hand over powers to representatives of the masses.

Ex-minister Hakeem Baloch said observed that Baloch people had remained victims of tyranny for years together.

“We have long been kept deprived of our lands and resources, besides employment and education. We are being treated like slaves on the territory which belongs to us.”

MPA Buledi said the government was not sincere in resolving the problem of Balochistan, rather it was interested only in exploiting and taking away the resources of this province.