Pakistani Americans Demand
Judicial Inquiry
Newark,
CA: The Pakistan American Democratic Forum (PADF), a national
grassroots organization, has expressed its profound “shock
and dismay” at Akbar Bugti’s killing by the Pakistan
Army. Censuring the Musharraf regime for failing to solve
center-province problems by political means, the PADF has
called for a suo moto inquiry by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The PADF statement reads: “Pakistani-Americans are profoundly
shocked and dismayed at Akbar Bugti’s killing by the
Pakistan army. Gen Musharraf is using the same tactics –
aerial bombardments and extra-judicial killings - against
Pakistani citizens as imperialist nations use against citizens
of other countries.
“The Musharraf regime has failed once more by letting
political dispute deteriorate into armed conflict. Now the
whole nation will pay for this misadventure because these
killings would further weaken the already fragile federation
of Pakistan.
“We join Pakistani masses in urging the Supreme Court
of Pakistan to conduct an inquiry of these killing at its
own initiative. However, any such judicial inquiry must be
accompanied by high-level reconsideration of center-province
relations aimed at decentralization of power and equitable
distribution of national resources including Sui gas.
“We urge all Pakistani political parties to, individually
and collectively, initiate mass contact campaign with peoples
of Balochistan to bring about negotiations, accommodation,
and healing. For the sake of national unity, the people of
Punjab must vigorously condemn these killings to dispel the
false impression that Akbar Bugti and his associates were
killed on Punjab’s behalf or with Punjab’s support.
“We urge all well-meaning Pakistanis and Pakistani-Americans
to remain engaged with the pursuit of a long-term solution.
Ultimately, Pakistan needs to resolve the interlocked problems
of militarism, feudalism, and tribalism in the context of
constitutional democracy, provincial autonomy, and just distribution.
of national resources.”
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