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Politicians protest Bugti's killing

End alienation of Baloch people: Benazir Bhutto

Islamabad: Continuing their protest against the killing of rebel tribal chief Nawab Akbar Bugti, both the ruling and the Opposition parties in Pakistan have voiced concern over the Army operations in Balochistan with the former Premier, Benazir Bhutto, seeking an end to alienation of the people of the restive province.

``The killing of the leader of a democratic political party (JWP) in a military operation whose party has representation in the federal and provincial legislatures will have far reaching consequences for the integrity of the federation,'' said Ms. Bhutto, leader of the Opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), in a statement on Tuesday.

Joining the ranks of some ruling party politicians in criticising the killing of Bugti, the Government's key ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) condemned the incident.

``Though MQM is an ally of President Musharraf's government set up, it has been expressing its reservations on the ongoing military operation anywhere in the country, including Balochistan,'' MQM Deputy coordinator Farooq Sattar said.

``It's time for the country, political parties and Parliament to bring Constitutional reforms to end feudalism in the country instead of encouraging these kind of operations.'' Mr. Sattar's comments followed reservations expressed by the former Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who said the killing would have a negative impact on Pakistan.

Mr. Jamali is one of the senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q).

PML-Q President Shujaa Hussain too said he grieved over the death of Bugti as the Baloch leader once saved his father from attempts by his detractors to kill him.

Unhappiness

Gen. Musharraf reportedly expressed unhappiness over the comments from PML-Q leaders. Mr. Sattar also disclosed that the MQM had planned to engage in a wide-ranging fact-finding mission to Balochistan.

However, he said Bugti told MQM representatives that they would only be welcome provided they presented a true account of the situation in Balochistan and resisted pressure to become a government mouthpiece.

Mr. Sattar declined to speak on the question of possible MQM demands to hold a judicial inquiry into the killing or on placing responsibility for his murder on either the Government or military forces.

The MQM would continue its struggle for securing the provincial autonomy, he said. — PTI

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