Pak govt apologises for past military operations in Balochistan

Islamabad, June 7 : Pakistan government is learnt to have tendered an apology for the military operations carried out in Balochistan in the past. Leader of the House in the Senate Raza Rabbani tendered the apology on behalf of the ruling coalition.

"Such operations were launched in the name of federation, but they actually weakened it," he said after Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-Mengal) Senator Sanaullah Baloch submitted his resignation to the Upper House Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro.

Rabbani said the present day PPP-led government would not allow demographic change in the provinces, and added that the proposal denying the right to vote in Balochistan to those who settled in the province from elsewhere was being considered.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain said, "We as a nation should apologise to the Baloch."

Hussain, who headed a subcommittee on Balochistan during the previous government, said his party had taken the initiative with a "positive mindset", and that it made efforts to reconcile with the people of Balochistan. "But hawks within the establishment sabotaged our efforts," he said without clarifying as to who were the hawkish elements in the Army.

Mushahid said the PML-Q would support the government for settling all Balochistan issues through talks. He said the use of military was not the solution to province's problems.

ANI