QUETTA, May 9: Leader of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations' Movement (Ponam) said on Sunday that people's rights and provincial autonomy could end the constitutional crisis and political instability in the country.

Speaking at a public gathering in Chaman near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the nationalist leaders said that the only solution to the current impasse in the country was to accept the rights of the ethnic entities of Pakistan, a new constitution and provincial autonomy in accordance with the 1940 Lahore resolution.

The Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) chief and Ponam vice-president, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, criticized the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal for supporting the 17th amendment and strengthening a military ruler.

The PMAP leader said a collective effort could help the Baloch, Pukhtun, Sindhi and Saraiki people achieve their due rights. Balochistan National Party (Mengal) leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal said that Punjab's leadership was responsible for the excesses committed against the oppressed provinces and maintained that the formation of Ponam was meant to launch a joint struggle against the oppressors.

He said that they would not allow the construction of cantonments in Balochistan, Kalabagh dam and Greater Thal canal as they would only benefit Punjab. National Party leader Dr Hayee Baloch said that the oppressed entities would have to sacrifice for attaining their goal.