KARACHI, Sept 22 Representatives of different political parties paid great tributes to late Baloch politician Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo on Wednesday for his services to the cause of democracy and struggle for the rights of Baloch people.

Recalling the sacrifices he rendered for democracy, the leaders described him as a man of unique characteristics who would always be remembered for his democratic ideals and liberal approach and for his principled stand and pragmatic approach in politics.Late Bizenjo was also one of the important leaders of the defunct National Awami Party (NAP), National Democratic Party (NDP), and later, the founder-president of the Pakistan National party (PNP).

Speaking at a programme to commemorate the 21st death anniversary of the late Baloch leader, they described him a man of revolutionary vision and conviction who firmly adhered to the principle of human equality, social justice and peace throughout his political career.

They said that Mir sahib, as they recalled, stood for equality of rights of all the people in the federating units of the country and he never succumbed to the negativity of racism or national chauvinism. He was equally critical of all forms of exploitation and discrimination perpetrated upon the working class and weaker section of the society by the elites of the ruling classes of the country, they said.

The programme was organised by the Karachi chapter of the National Party and it was addressed by NP president Senator Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Vice-President Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo, Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch and Tahir Bizenjo, National Workers Party leader Yusuf Mustikhan, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, Shah Mohammad Shah, Hameeda Gangro, Noor Mohammad and Fareed Awan.

They recalled that late Bizenjo stood firmly for a viable and democratic federalism within Pakistan wherein maximum autonomy granted to the provinces.

Most speakers also opposed the military solution of the Balochistan issue, saying that the problem could only be solved by recognising the sovereign rights of the federating units.

They said Mir sahib was opposed to the politics of violence and against all types of discrimination and extremism. He was opposed to the use of religion for political ends.

Condemning the military operation in Balochistan, the speakers also stressed the need for finding a political solution to Balochistan problem, saying that a military solution had never solved the problems.

Recalling the role Mir sahib had played in framing the 1973 Constitution, they urged the government to withdraw the armed forces from the province and release all political activists and missing persons who are in the custody of intelligence agencies.They also condemned what they described a “mysterious murder” of NP leader Maula Bakhsh Dashti, who was recently killed in Turbat.

NP leaders also paid a rich tribute to the late Dashti for his services to the cause of Baloch people.