QUETTA, Dec 2: Former governors of Balochistan Syed Fazal Agha and Abdul Qadir Baloch have formed a group to contest the general elections from an independent panel in the province.

Mr Agha said at a press conference at Reki House on Sunday that the panel had fielded 42 candidates for the National and Balochistan Assemblies in Quetta, Pishin, Kharan and Gwadar.

He said the group was ready for seat adjustment with political parties, including the PML-Q, to bring forward candidates who could play a positive role to solve problems related to water, education and health in the province.

He demanded lifting of emergency rule and said the group would strive for peaceful resolution of the Balochistan issue to restore normalcy in the province.

Mr Agha and some others in the group were earlier affiliated with the PML-Q.

Responding to a question, the former governor said they had not applied for the party’s tickets.

He said a committee had been formed for talks with other political groups and it comprised Fazal Agha, Qadir Baloch, Inyatullah Bazai, Rahim Kakar, Behroz Reki, Agha Umar Bungulzai, Talib Agha, Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Lango, Nurul Haq Yousufzai and Younus Baloch.