Quetta The Government of Balochistan has released baloch nationalist leader Mir Abdul Nabi Bangulzai from Quetta district jail, on Thursday.

Mir Bangulzai, who is a close aide of veteran baloch nationalist leader Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, was arrested in September 2000 in connection with the Justice Nawaz Marri case. He remained in jail almost eight years.

The Balochistan Home Minister, Mir Zafarullah Zehri, Communication and Works Minister, Mir Sadiq Ali Umrani and a large number of political workers and activists received Mir Abdul Nabi Bangulzai outside Quetta district jail.

The provincial government had already withdrawn all cases against Mir Bangulzai as part of a reconciliation process started by the PPP government in Balochistan.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti and many others have already been released after dropping cases against them. The provincial government has also dropped eight cases against Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri and his sons.

Mir Abdul Nabi Bangulzai told newsmen after his release that until and unless the issue of Balochistan are resolved, the Baloch people would continue to suffer from extra-judicial arrests. He said that while his release had been secured, hundreds of baloch youths and political workers were either still in jail or missing. My nephew is missing for the last seven months, he said.

We will continue our struggle for the national rights, Mir Abdul Nabi Bangulzai said and urged the Baloch to stand against atrocities.

While speaking on the occasion, provincial Home Minister, Mir Zafarullah Zehri said that the provincial government had fulfilled its promise regarding the release of political prisoners. He said that his party believes in parliamentary politics and was struggling for the rights of Balochistan.

Provincial Minister Mir Sadiq Ali Umrani said that the PPP government wanted to continue the reconciliation process so all problems being faced by Balochistan should be resolved.