MARDAN, Jan 13: Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali Khan has warned that unrest in Balochistan will be fatal to the country’s integrity and said that political dialogue is the only way to resolve the crisis. Talking to journalists at his residence on Thursday, he said that unfortunately the country was in the grip of military rulers who considered use of force the only way to solve political problems.

Referring to the parliamentary committee constituted to resolve the Balochistan issue, Mr Wali said he was the only member who had welcomed the committee but pointed out that the country’s history showed that committees were only formed to sweep the problems under the carpet.

He said Mushahid Hussain was made the committee’s chief who spoke good English but added that proficiency in English could not solve such crisis as it needed good political thinking.

He suggested that the committee should be revived and Islamabad should take the Baloch politicians into confidence otherwise this crisis might lead to disintegration of the country.

In reply to a question, the ANP leader said that President Gen Pervez Musharraf had abandoned the idea of building Kalabagh dam owing to the pressure exerted by nationalists.