KARACHI, Jan 31: A representative rally here on Monday expressed solidarity with the people of Balochistan, and warned the government against use of force in Balochistan.

The participants of the rally opposed the army action in Balochistan and urged the government not to use force and problems be solved politically.

Flag bearing participants of the rally, representing various parties, converged at Karachi Press Club on the call of Balochistan Solidarity Committee and raised slogans against army action in Balochistan.

The rally was led by Mairaj Mohammad Khan, National Workers Party leaders Yusuf Mustikhan, Usman Baloch, Awami National Party leader Amin Khattak and general secretary of the Communist Party Imdad Qazi and others.

Speaking at the rally, the leaders expressed complete solidarity with the people of Balochistan in their just struggle for national rights and urged the government to accept their genuine demands.

They urged the government to do away with the "policies of subjugation and suppression" and grant full autonomy to the provinces which include the right of a province to manage its economic resources.

The speakers said federation could remain intact by mutual consent and not by force and called for devolving powers from federation to provinces and local level. They termed the present system of governance unitary, accusing the rulers of of killing the spirit of federation.

The rally opposed the construction of cantonments in Sui and other parts of the province and crticized the Gwadar mega projects and demanded that exemplary punishment be given to those involved in the gang rape of the lady doctor. It urged the government to take Baloch leaders into confidence on all issues pertaining to the province, ensuring a political solution to the problems.