ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has appealed to “Western democratic forces” to stop the Pakistan government from carrying on its military operation in Balochistan.

A resolution adopted by the leaders of the alliance in a meeting here on Friday said: “The ARD appeals to the Western democratic forces to support the oppressed people instead of dictators, endorse the views of the ARD and other democratic forces and stop the (Pakistan) government from using force to suppress the fundamental and human rights of the people of Balochistan.”

The meeting, which was presided over by ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, announced that the alliance would hold another meeting on Dec 29 followed by a protest demonstration outside the Parliament House to condemn the killing of innocent people in Balochistan during the ongoing military operation.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting were ARD secretary general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, vice-president Tehmina Daultana, information secretary Syed Zafar Ali Shah, PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, Sardar Yaqoob Nasir (PML-N), Malik Hakmin Khan (PPP) and Syed Nayyar Bokhari (PPP).

Talking to Dawn, Mr Jhagra said the ARD had also decided to arrange an all parties conference (APC) on the Balochistan issue. The time and venue would be finalized in the next meeting.

Meanwhile, the ARD leaders through the resolution condemned the ongoing military operation in Kohlu and termed it a threat to national security and the country’s integrity. “The ARD believes that the use of force against own people in Balochistan is taking the country towards the East Pakistan-like situation,” said the resolution.

It said that “so far over 200 innocent people, including women, children and the elderly, had been killed and several others injured in the military operation in Balochistan.”

It said that on the one hand, “Pakistan had started bus services with India as part of confidence building measures (CBMs) and on the other hand, tanks, cannons and fighter planes were being sent to Balochistan to kill innocent people.”

Online adds: The ARD failed to brief media-persons on its perspective regarding the Kalabagh dam and some other important issues because of internal differences.

According to sources, two major parties in the alliance – PPPP and PML-N — have divergent views on the Kalabagh dam issue.