Pak Governor bats for Baloch nationalists

Islamabad, Apr.7 : In what could be perceived as a developing fissure between a provincial government and the federal establishment in Islamabad, Balochistan's Governor, Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, has said that Baloch nationalists and other groups in Balochistan have been right in protesting against the excessess committed against them, and demanded an end to the military operation in the province.

Expressing his views at a luncheon in honour of the members-elect of Balochistan Assembly on Sunday, Governor Magsi said that while he could not could not give an exact date for military operations to end, it was the responsibility of the provincial and federal governments to initiate a dialogue with the nationalists to restore normalcy in the restive province.

In this regard, he said that nominated Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani had initiated the process of talks with the banned organizations.

Governor Magsi was of the view that that the excesses on Balochis over the past five decades had driven them to think that parliament was of no use and other means were needed to be applied to seek a solution to their problems.

He added that if any progress was not made by the government for solution of problems through dialogues then these people would be justified in saying that parliament was not a solution of their problems.

Replying to a question about tribals surrendering their arms, The Nation quoted the Governor as saying that arms were part and parcel of tribal customs and traditions. He said these tribesmen could be asked whether the situation could be improved through stick or dialogue.

Responding to a question regarding missing persons, Magsi said that he had received a list of 900 missing people and efforts would be made to trace them.

Chief Minister designate Raisani said that he had made an appeal through press that there should be ceasefire from both sides.

He said that during his meeting with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, he had asked him for release of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the president of Balochistan National Party. Gillani had assured cooperation in this regard at the earliest.

ANI