KARACHI, March 21: Protesters at a rally outside the Karachi Press Club on Monday condemned the ongoing military action in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, and urged the government to pull out troops from the troubled area.

The rally was organized by the Karachi chapter of the Balochistan National Party (BNP). The participants were carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-government slogans.

BNP leaders Hameed Sajna, Zahid Husain Baloch, Comrade Noor Ahmed, Abbas Baloch and others addressed the protesters and slammed the government’s ‘victimization policy’ in Balochistan. They warned that the use of force against innocent people would create a situation detrimental to national interest.

They alleged that innocent Baloch people, including women and children, were being killed by the state forces simply because they wanted restoration of their national rights.

Condemning the recent bloodshed in Dera Bugti, they said the Baloch people would not succumb to such pressure tactics and their struggle for economic and other rights would continue.

Criticizing the policy of loot and plunder in Balochistan, the leaders urged the government to mend its ways by recognizing the political and economic rights of Baloch people.

On this occasion, a leaflet condemning the army action in Balochistan was also circulated. Calling on the rulers to desist from using force in tackling the issues pertaining to Balochistan, it warned that the military means could lead to an East Pakistan-like situation.