News
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Nawaz rejects APC on Balochistan
* PML-N president says merely convening APC will be of no use g Calls for giving due rights to Baloch
* Says 20th Amend is vital for continuity of democratic system
JEDDAH: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said his party would not become part of an all-parties conference (APC) on Balochistan as it was of no avail unless the real grievances of the province were redressed.
The former prime minister was talking to Pakistan Journalists Forum, at his residence in Jeddah. He said there was an urgent need to address the real issue of Balochistan and the mere convening of an APC on this issue was of no use. “We have told the government in clear words that the problem cannot be solved unless the injustices done to the people of Balochistan are redressed,” Sharif said.
“We will strive hard for stability, development and prosperity of Pakistan. We did not compromise on the issue of reinstatement of judges, and launched a campaign for independence of judiciary. It is being said that we have compromised on the issue of the 20th Amendment. In fact, the 20th Amendment is vital for the future of the country and continuity of a democratic system. All the parties extended full support to it,” Sharif said. “We are trying to remove the government through democratic means,” he added.
He said the resolution on Balochistan issue, moved in the US Congress, was a wrong step, adding that we needed to review why the situation had taken such a turn. To a question he said, “It is our demand that the killers of Akbar Bugti be brought to justice, the missing persons be recovered, and the people of Balochistan be given their due rights. If Akbar Bugti was rebelling against the country, why did Pervez Musharraf not provide evidence against him?”
About the possibility of an alliance of the PML-N and the Sindh National Front, he said talks were underway with Mumtaz Bhutto, but the matter had not been finalised yet. He said he would meet Shahzain Bugti on his return to the country to discuss matters regarding a solid solution for Balochistan issue. onlineCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk