KARACHI, Sept 4: President of the Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan has offered support to the Balochistan National Party (BNP) on the one-point agenda of 'provincial autonomy' and stressed that nationalist forces should join hands on the issue for their own survival.

Mr Khan made the offer during his meeting with Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal at the latter's residence on Saturday, according to a Sindh ANP press release. The two leaders discussed the current situation in Balochistan and possible steps for promoting cooperation between the two parties.

Sardar Mengal said that he was not opposed to the development of Balochistan, but would not allow anyone to turn the province into a colony of Punjab. He said that while the people of Balochistan appeared already alienated and deprived, the government's policies amounted to sprinkling salt on their wounds.

Both the leaders warned of serious consequences if the 'repressive' state policies continued to be imposed on Balochistan. The ANP leader assured him of his party's support to Balochistan people in their struggle.