Reconciliation committee on Balochistan to meet today
ISLAMABAD: The Balochistan National Party-Mengal and National Party on Wednesday refused to attend All Parties Conference (APC) on Balochistan issue to be hosted by Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
Following the same line, some other nationalist parties are likely to express same opinion at the time of receiving formal invitation from the organizers. Predicting gloomy response from Baloch leadership, the PPP has widened the scope of the Reconciliation Committee by adding three members - Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Rehman Malik and MNA Nabeel Gabol - in a bid to convince Baloch leadership.
Former MNA and leader of Balochistan National Party-Mengal Abdul Rauf Mengal told The Post that they have decided not to attend the APC because all the cases against them were not withdrawn.
Though he supported the idea but with the reservation that same sorts of moves have brought no results. "The real issue is to implement the recommendations made during previous deliberations on Balochistan issue," he added.
He also said that they also have a serious objection to the participation of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and Balochistan National Party-Awami because they were part and parcel of the army operation against the people of the Balochistan during Musharraf regime.
Responding to a query, he said that if Akhtar Mengal was not released and MMA and BNP-Awami were part of the APC, they would absolutely not attend the moot.
He further argued that if government could withdraw cases Sufi Mohammad and made a peace agreement, why Akhtar Mengal could not be released with due respect and honour.
Similarly, NP chief Dr Hayee Baloch was of the view that without changing the outlook and approach against Balochistan and restoring the normalization in the province, they would not participate in the APC.
He said that how could they attend the APC, when army operations was still underway, hundreds of workers and leaders were missing and arrested.
"PPP should end the 60-year colonization policy towards Balochistan and should get their agenda clear before holding an APC," he added.
Talking to The Post, a committee member, MNA AIjaz Jakhrani pinned hopes on the success of the APC and said that they would start inviting Baloch leaders from tomorrow after holding meeting of the Reconciliation Committee.
According to official news release issued here Wednesday, the Reconciliation Committee formed by Pakistan Peoples' Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari will hold its meeting today (Wednesday) at 1pm at Zardari House Islamabad.
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