KARACHI, Jan 4: Balochistan National Party's patron in-chief Sardar Attaullah Khan Mengal, who is also the convener of the Pakistan's Oppressed Nationalities Movement , has stated that people of Balochistan would have to prepare themselves mentally to face any situation as their struggle for political, economic and cultural rights was about to enter in the decisive phase.

Attaullah Mengal, who returned here from London a few days back, was talking to delegations of the BNP and the Baloch Students Organization led by Hameed Sajna and Wahab Baloch respectively. BNP's president and former chief minister Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal and former senator Mir Javed Mengal were also present on the occasion.

Referring to the looming situation in Balochistan, Attaullah Mengal called for unity among rank and file of Balochs on sound footings and prepare themselves politically and conscientiously to face all sorts of circumstances.

The veteran Baloch leader alleged that the rulers had left no stone unturned to push Balochistan towards ruins. He said that the rulers were setting up cantonments to pave the way for unilateral action, a BNP press release added.

"Under the cover of mega-projects, they were striving to bring and settle Punjabis in Balochistan, but, we would never allow them. The day is not far when our ongoing struggle would bear fruit and usurpers and oppressors would be nowhere in Balochistan," it added.

Mr Mengal pointed out that Balochistan had been a victim of injustices and backwardness and its rulers had utilized all their energies to protect the vulnerable and defenceless people, who had been demanding their due rights.

"We were given certificate of traitors and anti-state, only because we had strived for our rights and raised our voice for utilizing resources of Balochistan in Balochistan. He said that the Baloch would never tolerate non-locals settlements, cantonments and military bases in Balochistan under the cover of Gwadar Port.

Attaullah Mengal said that from dictatorship of Ayub Khan to the civil dictatorship of Pervez Musharraf, they had never compromised on principles. He said that Baloch would continue to raise voice for their rights even in future.