QUETTA: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has demanded an immediate end to military operations in Balochistan and said that an all parties conference will be convened soon in Islamabad to discuss the situation in the province and to find ways of resolving the crisis the seed of which had been sown by the regime of Pervez Musharraf.

Speaking at a function organised by the National Party here on Friday, he touched on various subjects concerning the province — enforced disappearances, Baloch leaders’ role in national politics, use of force in tackling political problems, economy, etc.

“Peace cannot be secured in Balochistan until the longstanding issues facing the province are resolved,” he said. He called for evolving a joint strategy for bringing the people of Balochistan back to the mainstream.

Mr Sharif said that instead of launching operations against them “we must address grievances and problems of the people of Balochistan because it is the need of the hour”.

National Party president Senator Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, former senator Tahir Bizenjo, PML-N secretary general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Ahsan Iqbal, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch attended the function.

The PML-N leader said the ‘genuine’ leaders of Balochistan deserved to be given a chance to play their role in national politics.

He suggested that Gwadar port should be declared a ‘free port’ — a status he believed would help boost trade and economic activities in the region. “As the third port of the country, Gwadar port has the potential and capability to compete with other ports in the region and it can be of great financial benefits not only to Balochistan but to the entire country.”

Mr Sharif accused the PPP government of having failed to implement the agenda it had announced for Balochistan after coming to power.

He also criticised military operations being carried out in Balochistan

and said these must be stopped forthwith and issues should be resolved through negotiations.

Expressing concern over disappearance of political workers and other people, he said every effort should be made to trace them and incidents of target killing in the province must come to an end.

“Why is the government not taking steps against the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti when there is no martial law in the country?” he asked.

About the Kharotabad incident, in which five foreigners were killed, Mr Sharif said no proper action was taken against the officials involved.

PPI adds: Talking to journalists after a meeting with Jamhoori Watan Party leader Talal Bugti, son of Akbar Bugti, Mr Sharif said people of the province were not satisfied with the Balochistan package announced by the government.

He said the package would remain “ineffective till the healing of their (Baloch people’s) wounds”.

The PML chief, who was in Quetta on a two-day visit, said early elections in the country was “a demand of every Pakistani”.