* Former Balochistan CM says govt’s failure to tackle Baloch issues ‘would be its weakness’
* Criticises US support for Musharraf
By Razzak Abro
KARACHI: The government should bring all militant groups including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to the table for talks, Balochistan National Party President Sardar Akhtar Mengal said on Saturday.
He added his party will not negotiate with the government without “confidence-building measures”.
“The government would also have to call [for negotiations] those [people] who went underground, including the BLA leadership,” Mengal said while speaking at Karachi Press Club and talking to Daily Times.
The former Balochistan chief minister’s statement comes a day after guerrilla commander Brahamdag Bugti’s first speech after a long spell in hiding, describing armed struggle as the only option available to the Baloch.
Mengal praised the Pakistan People’s Party’s efforts to address Balochistan’s problems, but added it faced challenges created by President Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid.
He understood that the government needed time to tackle issues, but it could order the return of the army from Balochistan and recovery of missing people. If not, this would be its weakness, he said.
Though the military’s overall control has weakened in the country, it is still powerful in Balochistan, added Mengal.
According to him, an apology from the president and others would not end the problem. He also criticised the US authorities for their support for Musharraf.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008 6 1story_1-6-2008_pg1_5 |
