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War-like situation in Baluchistan
Quetta, April 7
A near warlike situation prevails in Pakistan's largest province of Baluchistan, claims the chief of the
Baluchistan National Alliance (BNA), Yousuf Naskandi.
Interacting with media persons in Karachi, Naskandi said Baluchistan was passing through a "very dangerous
time", and added that if "this third war of the Baluch nation with Pakistan continues, the fate of the province
could be sealed forever." While hoping that Baluchistan remains a part of Pakistan, he said that the Baluch
people who were nationalists, were under severe strain and may be forced to consider it if the present
situation continues.
Naskandi said he was surprised over the federal government's reluctance to take strong action against
insurgents, who were " blocking link roads between Karachi and Quetta, resulting in businessmen being
affected badly." Meanwhile, other Baluch leaders and analysts have claimed that Pakistani paratroopers
deployed across sensitive parts of the province, have suffered undisclosed, but heavy casualties while
confronting the insurgents and Baloch nationalist groups.
During the past few weeks, the situation in Quetta and in other parts of Baluchistan has remained tense, and a
key factor for this, has been the federal government's domineering behaviour with Baluch leaders and its
handling of matters concerning the province.
Last Wednesday, for instance, Karachi's law enforcement personnel and intelligence units abruptly ended a
daylong siege of the Clifton area residence of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the chief of the Baluchistan Nationalist
Party (BNP), with the arrest of two of Mengal's guards and his driver.
BNP leader, Senator Sanaullah Baluch told media persons over the phone that all roads of Baluchistan have
been closed and confirmed that the BNP will continue with its protests against the Musharraf regime till their
demand for provincial autonomy is not met.
According to Mengal and other Baluch leaders, their struggle is against the alleged usurpation of Baluch land
by the "Punjab- dominated" Pakistan Army, and the federal government's desire "to exploit the natural
resources of Balochistan".
"The struggle will continue till we get freedom, and we will not backtrack from our armed struggle till an
announcement of the formation of the Baluchistan State is made, or alternatively, till the United Nations does
not accept the Baloch nation as an autonomous nation," said Dr. Imdad Balouch, the president of the
Baluchistan Students' Organisation (BSO).
There is no doubt that the Musharraf-backed federal government is on the defensive, and this can be judged by
the street power exhibited by the Baloch people over the last week, especially by the BNP. For instance, five
days ago, over eight thousand BNP supporters attended a rally addressed by Mengal, and shouted anti-
government and anti-Punjab establishment slogans.
The Baluch has woken up and is ready to join hands with anybody supporting their cause for autonomy. — ANI
#1
Quetta, April 7
A near warlike situation prevails in Pakistan's largest province of Baluchistan, claims the chief of the
Baluchistan National Alliance (BNA), Yousuf Naskandi.
Interacting with media persons in Karachi, Naskandi said Baluchistan was passing through a "very dangerous
time", and added that if "this third war of the Baluch nation with Pakistan continues, the fate of the province
could be sealed forever." While hoping that Baluchistan remains a part of Pakistan, he said that the Baluch
people who were nationalists, were under severe strain and may be forced to consider it if the present
situation continues.
Naskandi said he was surprised over the federal government's reluctance to take strong action against
insurgents, who were " blocking link roads between Karachi and Quetta, resulting in businessmen being
affected badly." Meanwhile, other Baluch leaders and analysts have claimed that Pakistani paratroopers
deployed across sensitive parts of the province, have suffered undisclosed, but heavy casualties while
confronting the insurgents and Baloch nationalist groups.
During the past few weeks, the situation in Quetta and in other parts of Baluchistan has remained tense, and a
key factor for this, has been the federal government's domineering behaviour with Baluch leaders and its
handling of matters concerning the province.
Last Wednesday, for instance, Karachi's law enforcement personnel and intelligence units abruptly ended a
daylong siege of the Clifton area residence of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the chief of the Baluchistan Nationalist
Party (BNP), with the arrest of two of Mengal's guards and his driver.
BNP leader, Senator Sanaullah Baluch told media persons over the phone that all roads of Baluchistan have
been closed and confirmed that the BNP will continue with its protests against the Musharraf regime till their
demand for provincial autonomy is not met.
According to Mengal and other Baluch leaders, their struggle is against the alleged usurpation of Baluch land
by the "Punjab- dominated" Pakistan Army, and the federal government's desire "to exploit the natural
resources of Balochistan".
"The struggle will continue till we get freedom, and we will not backtrack from our armed struggle till an
announcement of the formation of the Baluchistan State is made, or alternatively, till the United Nations does
not accept the Baloch nation as an autonomous nation," said Dr. Imdad Balouch, the president of the
Baluchistan Students' Organisation (BSO).
There is no doubt that the Musharraf-backed federal government is on the defensive, and this can be judged by
the street power exhibited by the Baloch people over the last week, especially by the BNP. For instance, five
days ago, over eight thousand BNP supporters attended a rally addressed by Mengal, and shouted anti-
government and anti-Punjab establishment slogans.
The Baluch has woken up and is ready to join hands with anybody supporting their cause for autonomy. — ANI
#1
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| 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 of our land (Balochistan) and exploitations of our resources by Pakistani and Iranian Governments, and to bring their Human Rights Violations in Balochistan into the world’s Notice. |