QUETTA, May 1: The National Party (NP) said on Wednesday that it would not boycott the May 11 elections despite attacks on its leaders and activists and threats.

“We made a mistake by boycotting the general elections in 2008, but it will not be repeated,” NP secretary general Mir Tahir Bizenjo said while addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club.

He said no one could deprive the masses of their right to vote on gunpoint. He said the NP condemned attacks on convoys of election candidates, houses of politicians and polls offices in Balochistan.

“We believe that ballot, and not bullet, is the solution to the problems Balochistan is facing and its people can get control of its natural resources and coast by participating in the elections,” Mr Bizenjo said.

He was of the opinion that by participating in the elections leaders of Balochistan would be in a better position to raise issues of the province in parliament. He said his party, while following the political wisdom and teachings of tolerance of its late leader Mir Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo, would continue to promote constructive and democratic politics.

“We love our motherland and our manifesto is to put our region on the track of progress and prosperity,” he said, adding that the NP would continue its struggle for the protection of rights of Baloch people.

Mr Bizenjo said that years of tribal feuds and war in Afghanistan had triggered migration by millions of Afghans to Pakistan which put a negative impact on Balochistan’s society. “The years-long war, anarchy and chaos in Afghanistan have caused destruction and led to terrorism in our country.”

He urged all political parties to unite against terrorism to restore peace in the region.