News
Saturday, August 04, 2012
Both ‘friends’ and ‘foes’ involved in Balochistan: Malik
* Interior minister says Afghan president provided 500 Kalashnikov rifles to Brahamdagh Bugti’s deputy
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday told the Upper House that 14 organisations are operating in Balochistan and both friends and enemies of Pakistan were financing and encouraging them for uprising.
The House decided that the minister would give an in-camera briefing to the senators, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and other security agencies about the facts. Date of the session would be finalised later.
Malik said, "Give me an opportunity and let me tell you what our friends are doing with us. Let our enemies be aside but I have astonishing facts about the friends."
In continuation of his yesterday's speech delivered to wind up discussion on Balochistan situation, Malik unveiled evidence on links among the Baloch dissidents and neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan and India. He, however, avoided naming the friendly countries and once again requested for an in-camera briefing.
He also showed proof about training camps being run in Afghanistan and a number of official letters written by the Afghan government to its departments to provide funds, visas, passports and arms and ammunition to Brahamdagh Bugti and his operators inside Balochistan.
He also unveiled proof about Pakistani insurgents getting training in Kandahar and other areas. He also mentioned strong links of dissident leaders with Afghanistan and India. The minister claimed that there were 24 training camps for terrorists in Kandahar alone.
The minister requested nationalist parties to support the government, before it was too late. He made it clear that no compromise would be made on the national interest and all decisions would be taken in this regard.
To a point of order raised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri‚ Malik said the memorandum of understanding singed for restoration of NATO supplies would be made public. He said, “Our stand regarding the implementation of parliamentary recommendations is same as it was earlier.”
To another point of order raised by MQM Senator Tahir Mashhadi regarding law and order in Karachi‚ the minister said security arrangements in the city have been improved and sectarian and ethnic polarisation had been reduced to a great extent.
Malik said certain elements were playing in the hands of enemies and trying to balkanise Balochistan. He said the Baloch loved Pakistan but some people were getting support from their foreign masters.
Foreign countries extended their full support to Riaz Gul, the deputy commander of Brahamdagh Bugti. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, through an official letter, provided 500 Kalashnikov rifles to Gul. The minister said more details about Gul would be provided to parliamentarians during the in-camera briefing.
Opposition leader in the Senate Ishaq Dar said, “We all know these problems and involvement of foreign hands in Balochistan unrest, but we required a roadmap and an action plan to stop such criminal activities in the province.”Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk