HRCP apprehends escalation in Balochistan conflict
January 10th, 2006
LAHORE: The HRCP mission, headed by chairperson Ms Asma Jahangir and including former chairperson Mr Afrasiab
Khattak and the vice chairperson of Balochistan Mr Zahoor Ahmed Shawani, has completed its visit to Dera Bugti.
The mission has expressed serious alarm over the rapidly deteriorating situation in and around Dera Bugti and reiterated its
demand that all armed conflict cease immediately and a process of negotiation be begun. The HRCP mission also
observed the heavy presence of security forces in Dera Bugti. It may be noted no gas installations exist in the area. Given the
explosive situation, HRCP apprehends an acceleration in the armed conflict and irreparable damage to the federation¡¯s
integrity should the eye-ball to eye-ball confrontation continue.
Due to the ongoing armed sorties, around 85 percent of the local population has already left Sui while Nawab Akbar Bugti
has also vacated his residence in the town. Sui has in fact been shut off from the outside world since December 17th. On the
arrival of the HRCP team in the area, a large number of people gathered to greet the delegation and air their many
grievances, relieved that someone had come to hear them.
HRCP will issue a detailed report based on its findings in Balochistan within the next few days.
The HRCP delegation has also been amazed to note the police have not registered the FIR of the firing incident on the
HRCP vehicle that took place Sunday. Three charges of kalashnikov fire were unleashed during the attack. It is also
intriguing that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility, given that the outfit has no quarrel with
HRCP.
HRCP would like to reiterate its warning that the attempt to seal off Balochistan and shut out anyone who wishes to see what
is happening there will increase the existing bad blood between provinces and add to the dangerous frictions that exist at the
present time in the country.
Asma Jahangir
Chairperson
Baloch Society Of North America (BSO_NA) Baloch Society Of North America (BSO_NA) is Non-Profit Organization, working to unite and Organize all Baloch in North America, to expose the Occupation and Oppressive policies of Pakistani and Iranian Governments against Baloch people and our Baloch land (Balochistan), and to bring their Human Rights Violations in Balochistan into the world’s Notice.
