KARACHI, March 17: A number of Baloch nationalist parties on Monday staged a protest demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club for the release of all Baloch political leaders and workers illegally detained by the government agencies from various parts of the country.

The rally was organised by the Baloch National Front. The demonstrators carrying banners and placards with their demands inscribed on them chanted anti-government slogans.

Leaders of various parties including those belonging to the Jamhoori Watan Party also addressed the rally. They strongly condemned the ongoing military operation in Balochistan. They alleged that thousands of people from Dera Bugti and Marri areas had been forced to take refuge in the neighbouring areas to escape “bombardment and excesses” and many of them had to flee the province.

The Baloch nationalist leaders urged the international organisations to take a serious note of the plight of the Baloch people and use their influence to restrain Islamabad and the military rulers from using force against the Baloch people who “were fighting for their right of self-nationhood” recognized by the United Nations.

They vowed that the Baloch people would in no way surrender their rights and would continue their ongoing struggle.

Sher Mohammad Baloch (Jamhoori Watan Party), Abdul Wahab Baloch (Baloch Rights Council), and Zahid Barakzai (Baloch Unity Conference) also spoke.