QUETTA, Dec 29: Nationalist groups have decided to convene a multi-party conference on contentious issues pertaining to smaller provinces, their representatives said on Thursday.

The multi-party conference will be convened soon after Eidul Azha, Agha Shahid Hasan Bugti of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) told a joint press conference. Besides that, he said, parliamentary leaders of opposition groups in the Balochistan Assembly will participate in the ARD demonstration in Islamabad on Jan 2 against the military operation in the province.

Mr Shahid read out a written statement on behalf of Habib Jalib Baloch (BNP-Mengal), Abdur Rahim Ziaratwal (PMAP), Dr Ishaq Baloch (NP) and Sultan Kakar of the ANP.

Mr Shahid said nationalist parties will hold a demonstration outside the Balochistan Assembly on Jan 5 and take out a rally in front of all district assemblies of the province on Jan 8.