Shahzain Bugti, Balochistan
Chief of the Balochistan chapter of Jamhoori Watan Party – Talal faction Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti. — Photo by AFP

KARACHI: The chief of the Balochistan chapter of Jamhoori Watan Party – Talal faction, Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti, on Thursday reiterated that he would lead a ‘long march’ towards Dera Bugti on January 28.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Shahzain Bugti said he would lead the “peaceful long march” comprising internally displaced Baloch tribesmen and workers belonging to his father Talal Bugti’s faction of the JWP.

“We have rejected the government’s Aghaz-i-Huqooq-i-Balochistan package as it is clear by now that the government has no intention of implementing its proposals,” Shahzain told Dawn.com.

He further stated that his recent arrest was “a development that came about after the long march announcement”.

“I was implicated in a fake case and it was a clear warning against going ahead with the January 28 march…come what may, we will hold the march to Dera Bugti,” he said.

Shahzain, the grandson of late Nawab Akbar Bugti, and his 26 security guards were arrested on December 22, 2010 by paramilitary troops of the Frontier Corps at the Buleli checkpoint near Quetta. Their arrest followed the recovery of a huge quantity of illegal arms and ammunition, including anti-aircraft guns, from the vehicles of Shahzain's convoy coming from the border town of Chaman.

Shahzain and the 26 guards were released from Quetta district jail on January 18 after grant of bail by the Balochistan High Court.

Opinion

Editorial

ICJ rebuke
Updated 26 May, 2024

ICJ rebuke

The reason for Israel’s criminal behaviour is that it is protected by its powerful Western friends.
Hot spells
26 May, 2024

Hot spells

WITH Pakistan already dealing with a heatwave that has affected 26 districts since May 21, word from the climate...
Defiant stance
26 May, 2024

Defiant stance

AT a time when the country is in talks with the IMF for a medium-term loan crucial to bolstering the fragile ...
More pledges
Updated 25 May, 2024

More pledges

There needs to be continuity in economic policies, while development must be focused on bringing prosperity to the masses.
Pemra overreach
25 May, 2024

Pemra overreach

IT seems, at best, a misguided measure and, at worst, an attempt to abuse regulatory power to silence the media. A...
Enduring threat
25 May, 2024

Enduring threat

THE death this week of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, who succumbed to injuries after being attacked by gunmen, is yet...