PESHAWAR, March 20: The People’s Party Parliamentarians has demanded an immediate end to use of military force in Balochistan and called for a political solution to the crisis. Speaking at the provincial council meeting here on Sunday, NWFP party president Rahimdad Khan said the PPP believed in talks to resolve political issues.

He asked the government to address the grievances of the Baloch people and take political forces into confidence to sort out permanent solution of the problem. Expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, particularly in Balochistan, Mr Rahimdad said the government had failed in maintaining rule of law and providing security to the common man.

Earlier, the provincial council demanded restoration of the 1973 Constitution in its original form. The meeting decided that the party workers would continue struggle for the supremacy of parliament and the constitution. The PPP also demanded that the government should extend Political Parties Act, 2002 to Fata and bring amendment to the Frontier Crimes Regulation according to the aspirations of tribesmen. Some speakers pointed out that the government had extended the act, but later revoked.

The council condemned the NWFP government for arresting and victimizing the PPP workers in Tank. The meeting decided that a delegation of the PPP, NWFP chapter, would visit Larkana, Sindh to take part in the anniversary of late prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The council asked workers to start preparation to receive the party central leader Asif Ali Zardari scheduled to arrive in Lahore next month.