QUETTA, Aug 28: The Awami National Party central executive committee has decided to invite the nationalist political parties to form an alliance on a one-point agenda, on the issue of autonomy to federating units , so that provinces may control their own resources for the betterment of the local population.

Senator and ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan chaired the meeting in Arbab House on Saturday, where the political situation in the country was discussed.

Flanked by the Secretary General Ehsan Waye, Begum Naseem Wali Khan, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Shahi Syed, Ghulam Sarwar Piralizai, Afrasaib Khattak, Haji Adeel, Dr Inyatullah Malik Jailani Khan Achakzai, Mr Asfandyar told newsmen at a press conference later that his party would extend unconditional support to the Baloch peoples within the parameters of the constitution.

The ANP leader said that an alliance on a one point agenda to obtain autonomy for deprived provinces would be helpful for all of the nationalist forces.

He clarified to a question that ANP want the unity of nationalist forces on a particular point and the best objective was to join hands on a single platform was the issue of provincial autonomy.

Mr Asfandyar declared that his party would not cooperate with the ARD unless there was a similar commitment for autonomy to provinces. He while condemning the excesses against the Baloch masses he stated that his party believed that an attack against any nationalist would be tantamount to attacking the ANP, therefore the ANP would extend all possible cooperation within the parameters of the constitution to that nationalist.

ANP leader said his party would not allow President Musharraf to construct the Kalabagh Dam which had been rejected by unanimous resolutions adopted by the assemblies of Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan, and said that reopening the dead issue would create hatred between Punjab and the remaining three provinces.

Responding a question Mr Asfandyar said that talks with Nawab Bugti, Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Dr Hayee Baloch, Sardar Sherbaz Mazari and Jalal Mahmood Shah to unite nationalist groups on combined platform was positive and encouraging.

The ANP leader asserted that the root problem in the country was denial of constitutional and political rights to smaller provinces.