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London (UK) against the Military Operation in
Balochistan.
December 19, 2005
Press release for demo against arbitrary arrests, torture and killing
of Sindhi and Baluch political workers and construction of Kalabagh
Dam, Thal canal and Gwader Port
A massive protest rally was organised on 18 Dec 2005 in front of 10
Downing Street, the residence of British Prime Minster Tony Blair, by
World Sindhi Congress (WSC), Sindhi Baluch Forum (SBF) and
Baluchistan
Rights Movement (BRM) against the against arbitrary arrests, torture
and killing of Sindhi and Baluch political workers and construction of
Kalabagh Dam, Thal canal and Gwader Port. The demonstration was
attended by hundreds of Sindhis from UK, Europe and Sindh and
Baluchistan. The rally was addressed by many speakers who spoke about
the plight of Sindhi and Baluch people in Pakistan. Qadir Jatoi of
World Sindhi Institute in his speech said that the injustices to
Sindhis and Baluchs in Pakistan have increased alarmingly these should
be stopped immediately. Dr Nasseer Dashti said that the Baluch people
are subjected to worst subjugation. Hundreds of Baluch political
activists have disappeared and are being tortured in the dungeons of
Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. He reiterated that Baluchs will stand
by their Sindhi brothers in their fight against Kalabagh Dam. Mr Akbar
Barkzai of Balochistan Action Committee said that Sindhis and Baluchs
are fighting for their survival and Pakistan’s military can kill
hundreds and thousands of Sindhis and Baluchs but they can not kill our
entire nation. Dr Haleem Bhatti Senior Vice Chairman of WSC read the
petition to the participants which demanded from the western
governments to stop supporting the military junta of Pakistan and press
upon them to stop gross human rights violations against Sindhi and
Baluch people. The petition was unanimously approved by all the
participants. Dr Lakhu Luhana, General Secretary of WSC, in his speech
mentioned the record of Pakistan’s military on human rights. He also
mentioned that regardless of the strong opposition from all the
sections of Sindhi, Baluch and Pakhtoon nations the rulers are bent to
construct Kalabagh Dam, Thal canal and Gwader Port in order to uproot
and destroy the livelihood of Sindhi and Baluch people. The meeting was
addressed by Javed Mengal and Mehran Marri who informed the
participants that Pakistan’s military has started operation in
Baluchistan using heavy ground and air artillery that have resulted in
heavy loss of civilian life killing many children and women. The
protest was also attended by Adi Akhtar Baluch from Sindh. The
demonstration chanted slogans against Kalabagh Dam, Thal canal and
Gwader Port, against human rights violations, against military
operation and in favour of the genuine democratic rights of Sindhi and
Baluch people. The participants demanded from the Pakistan’s military
junta:
• To stop immediately the military operation in Baluchistan,
• To release Sindhi political activists Syed Asghar, Mazhar Bhatti,
Mansoor Marri, Sikander Soomro Rafiq Laghari, Ghulam Nabi, Tahir
Soomro, Faiz Chandio, Umar Tewno, sanaullah Bhatti Shabir Mallah,
Imran
Laghari, Fayaz Janwri, Aslam Soomro.Sattar Hakro, Muzaffar Bhutto,
Muhram Mallah, Ahmad Teewno and Zulfiqar Khaskheley.
• To withdraw warrants of Shafi Burfat, and Khalil Khaskheley,
respectively Chairman and Senior Vice Chairman of Jeay Sindh Muthida
Mahaz.
• To release all Baluch political activists Abdul Nabi Bungulzai, Ali
Asghar Bangulzai, Hafiz Saeed Ur Rehman Bangulzai’s, Gwahram Baloch,
Dr. Imdad Baloch, Dr. Allah Nazar, former Chairman of BSO, Dr. Yousuf,
Ghulam Rasool, Dr. Naseem, AIi Nawaz and Akhtar Nadeem Majid Samad
Abid Saleh, Gwahram Baloch, Dr Hanif Sharif, Aslam Gurgnadi, Khuda Bux
Bizanjo and hundreds others
At the end of the demonstration Dr. Haleem Bhatti, Mr. Javed Mengal,
Mr. Mehran Marri, Mr. Akbar Barkzai, Dr. Hidayat Bhutto and Dr Lakhu
Luhana submitted the petition to the representatives of the Prime
Minster Tony Blair.
In the petition Prime Minster Tony Blair and Her Majesty’s Government
was requested to press upon the Pakistani government for:
• To immediately stop the military operation against Baluch and Sindhi
people that has created a near-genocide situation.
• To stop work on Gwadar Port immediately. The development of the
Gwadar should only be carried out with the consent of the Baluch people
and by the Baluch people.
• To stop work on Greater Thal Canal, not to embark on the construction
of Kalabagh Dam, and settle water issues on the basis of
internationally accepted lower riparian rights.
• Not to build any army cantonments, which would suppress democratic,
nationalist and secular movements
• To ensure that human rights, environmental and water issues are
amicably and lawfully settled prior to releasing any aid packages to
the government of General Musharaf.
WORLD SINDHI CONGRESS
22 Newfields, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 6YT, UK
Tel. +44 (01707) 896526 ~ Fax +44 (870)1226007
17418 Emelita St, Encino, CA 91316, USA ~ TELE:: 818-917-6910 ~ FAX: 1-
708-585-4284
214 McGibbon Dr., Ottawa, ON K2L-3Y4 Canada ~ TELE: 1-613-591-0451
~ FAX 1-815-550-5694
Email:
URL: http://www.worldsindhicongress.org
