KHUZDAR: Balochistan National Party (BNP) president Sardar Akhtar Mengal said on Tuesday that he was being approached by some political parties to form an alliance for the upcoming general elections.

Talking to reporters after visiting different areas, the BNP president said he would take people into confidence if an electoral alliance was to be formed.

In response to a question about the no-trust motion moved by 14 members of the Balochistan Assembly, he said certain people were raising a hue and cry over the matter.

He said that when it came to electing a new leader of the house everything was considered to be democratic, but if a no-confidence motion was moved against the sitting chief executive of the province the move was termed “undemocratic”.

Mr Mengal said he too was part of the motion that expressed distrust in the government and its performance.

Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said its western route was completely missing and there was no development in any part of Balochistan. He said the funds from the Asian Development Bank had been utilised in building roads.

Mr Mengal accused former prime minister Nawaz Sharif of befooling people on the issue of the western route of the economic corridor, claiming that there was no economic development as power houses and industrial zones were still missing.

Regarding the Baloch resistance he said that back in the 1970s tribal elements were leading the struggle but now it was being headed by the politically aware people. He called for changing behaviour and attitude for finding an amicable solution to Balochistan problems.

The former chief minister said that corruption would not be tolerated at any cost and those found involved in it would be taken to task. He vowed to expose the corrupt lot in the government and said that the issue would be taken to people’s court.

Those who had plundered the national exchequer would be made accountable for their involvement in corrupt practices and robbing the public wealth, Mr Mengal said.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2018