KARACHI, Dec 21: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has called for ending the military action in Balochistan in the interest of national integrity and stressed the need for holding dialogue with the Baloch leadership to resolve the contentious issues.

According to a press release, the MQM chief in a statement issued in London on Wednesday called upon President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to immediately initiate talks with Baloch leaders because issues could not be resolved through use of force in the 21st century.

He said that unrest among the people of Balochistan was increasing and, therefore, it was necessary to initiate talks before the situation reached the “point of no return”.

The MQM chief said the ongoing operation in Kohlu and Dera Bugti must be stopped and reasons behind extremist views among the Baloch people, especially the youth, should be explored and steps taken to address their apprehensions.