QUETTA, June 7: Balochistan National Party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal has reiterated that without ending the military operation, recovery of missing persons and rehabilitation of displaced people, there will be no positive outcome of the government’s reconciliation move.

Addressing a public meeting at Mir Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo stadium in Khuzdar on Friday night, he said that centre’s control over the Gwadar port and construction of cantonments were sensitive issues and, therefore, rulers should avoid playing with sentiments of the Baloch people.

Mr Mengal criticised the inclusion of Gwadar port in the constitutional package and said the Baloch people would not allow centre’s control over the port. “People of the land have the right to control their coastal belt.”

The BNP chief paid tribute to martyrs, including Nawab Akbar Bugti and Nawabzada Balaach Marri, for sacrificing their lives in the military operation to protect land and resources of the Baloch people.

He said that usurpers despite having state machinery had failed to suppress the political movement of the Baloch people.

“President Musharraf used all dirty methods against us, but today we are brought by the people in huge procession and he is confined to the presidency.”

He said that the movement supported by the people could not be suppressed by the military operation or arrests.

Mr Mengal said: “We are not against the policy of resolving political issues through dialogue, but it is not possible for us to initiate talks with the government when the military operation is still going on in Dera Bugti and Kohlu, disappeared people have not been traced, political workers are behind bars and displaced people are moving from one place to another for shelter.”

He urged the Baloch people to get united and fight for their rights.

Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldani, Habib Jalib Baloch, Mohinuddin Baloch, Abdul Rauf Mengal, Mir Amanullah Zehri and Akhtar Hussain Lango also addressed the gathering.

Earlier, BNP chief Sardar Mengal was brought to Khuzdar from Wadh in a big motorcade procession. Activists of the BNP and the Baloch Students Organisation (Mohinuddin faction) chanted slogans against President Musharraf and for Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal and martyrs of Balochistan.

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