RAWALPINDI, Jan 27: Pakistan Muslim League Vice President Syed Kabir Ali Wasti has expressed apprehension about the efforts being made by the party chief, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain , for resolving Balochistan crisis and said that "these will not make much headway until President Musharraf directly involves himself in the dialogue process".

Describing the situation in Sui as alarming, Mr Wasti noted that Nawab Akbar Bugti had refused to talk to anybody else but the 'real rulers' meaning the military. He said Attaullah Mengal had also advised Chaudhry Shujaat to talk to Bugti for resolving the problem.

The PML leader said if Nawab Bugti refused to talk to Shujaat, it would further deepen the crisis and enhance prospects of military operation that has been opposed by all political parties and patriotic forces.

He recalled that President Musharaf's adviser Tariq Aziz had broken lot of ground during his meeting with Mr Bugti a couple of months ago. Mr Wasti said during recent telephonic talks, Nawab Bugti had told him that he would not talk to any other person except those who wield real power and can implement any agreement.

The PML media committee chairman urged the president to involve Mr Aziz in Shujaat's mission to ensure success, fearing that "time is running out fast". Referring to various statements by Mr Mengal and some other Baloch nationalist leaders, Mr Wasti regretted that Punjab is being unjustly blamed for the deprivations of Balochistan and previous military operations in the province.

He said the strongest voice against military operation has come from leadership of all shades of public opinion in Punjab, including the PML. He reminded Mr Mengal that political leadership in Punjab stood up in 70s against dismissal of his government in Balochistan.