QUETTA: The National Party (NP) has said that negotiations with self-exiled Baloch leaders should continue and sought implementation of the ‘Peaceful Balochistan’ package to bring ‘disgruntled elements’ into the mainstream.

The demands were made during a two-day meeting of the party’s central committee held to discuss the prevailing political situation in general and party affairs in particular.

The meeting that concluded on Tuesday was presided over by NP President Mir Hasil Bizenjo, who is also the federal minister for ports and shipping.

The members of the central committee stressed that the country should be turned into a welfare state, instead of a security state, through a democratic struggle.

They said the issue of Balochistan was of political nature and therefore it should be resolved politically instead of using power.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Bizenjo said the party was struggling to strengthen parliament and uphold the rule of law in the country.

He said his party believed that political dialogue was the only way to resolve the issues facing Balochistan.

Referring to the issue of return of Baloch leaders to the country, Mr Bizenjo said if they wanted to come back after years of self-exile, the government should not create any hurdles in their way.

“Some elements having a particular mindset are making efforts to block [the returning leaders’] way,” he said.

On the recently held census in the country, the NP president said that despite having reservations on the matter his party took part in the process.

He underlined the need for making Pakistan a real federation, one which recognises the rights of all its nationalities and makes them the owner of their resources.

Former Balochistan chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, NP Vice President Mir Tahir Bizenjo, acting Secretary General Mehrab Marri and NP President for Punjab Ayub Rafiq Khosa also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2017