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Crackdown on activists as Musharraf visits Quetta

Nirupama Subramanian

Opposition Baloch leaders arrested

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf's visit to the Balochistan provincial capital Quetta on Thursday, his first since the killing of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, was marked by a tough police crackdown on activists of nationalist parties that declared it a `black day' and called for a shutdown.

The Government responded by declaring the day a holiday, arresting several Opposition Baloch leaders, and saturating the city with security forces.

Gen. Musharraf, who announced Rs. 1 billion for the development of Quetta, and Rs. 100 million for each of the 28 districts in the Balochistan province, told a gathering that the development of Balochistan was essential for the progress of the entire country.

Regretting 50 years of neglect that had left the country's largest province underdeveloped, he pledged to make up for past negligence, and announced development projects, scholarships for students and other facilities.

"It is unfortunate that the areas that are a source of natural gas remained bereft in the past. Do not blame me for the past neglects ... I am here to provide you [with] all facilities," the President said. "My heart beats with the Baloch people and you are my source of strength."

But he also reiterated that the Government would not tolerate any challenge from insurgents. There is "only one Lashkar (army)" in Pakistan, and that is the Pakistan military, he said, in an allusion to tribal militias resisting the security forces in Balochistan.

Ahead of the visit, police arrested leaders and activists of the National Party, including its secretary-general Mir Hasil Bizenjo and a former senator from the party. The student wing of the National Party staged a demonstration against the visit. The run-up to the visit was marked by days of protests and strike calls by nationalist parties.

Last week, the police arrested several hundred activists of the Balochistan National Party, including its leader Akhtar Mengal.

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