Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Assistant Secretary General Abdul Qadir Baloch has expressed serious concern over current situation in Balochistan and called for finding political solution to the problem, saying Balochistan issue is purely a political and there is absolutely no military solution to it.
Talking to reporters at a local hotel on Sunday, Baloch, who was accompanied by PML-N leaders Nihal Hashmi and Mohammad Mehdi, said that strong political government was in the interest of the country and there must be no role whatsoever of army in civil affairs. He added that President Asif Ali Zardari had lost golden opportunity provided by Nawaz Sharif to strengthen civilian control.
He added that law-enforcing agencies must perform their official obligations as per law of the land. He said that the real issue in Balochistan was imbalance approach of the government with regard to economic development of Balochistan as well as its people. "The situation could be improved in Balochistan by treating the Baloch people on the basis of equality and accepting the province's rights on its natural resources," he said.
He said situation in Balochistan was alarming where over 400 tortured and mutilated bodies had been recovered so far. Apart from this around 300 Punjabi settlers, 150-200 policemen and around 150 FC officials were killed, he added.
He said political regime was not showing seriousness towards Balochistan situation. He said the government and the security forces should take Balochistan issue seriously. He condemned the recovery of bullet-riddled bodies of Baloch missing persons.
To a question, Baloch said non-serious attitude of the government towards Balochistan issue can be gauged that nobody had ever approached him for discussion on the issue despite the fact that he belongs to Balochistan and also had important assignments.
When asked about foreign intervention in Balochistan, he said possibility of foreign hand in creating law and order situation in Balochistan could not be ruled out. He added that Balochistan had huge reserves of minerals and foreigners were eyeing them.
The PML-N leader claimed that people of Balochistan had high hopes in Nawaz Sharif. The PML-N would be in a position to form its government in Balochistan after the general elections.