Balochistan: BNP Reiterates Need for Inclusive Development
Photo Courtesy of: Moign Khawaja 2011 @Flickr
Akhtar Mengal, President of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), in a speech given at a public gathering on 24 May 2016, reiterated the need for inclusive economic growth, notably with regards to the implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Mengal highlighted Islamabad’s reckless strategy of making the Baloch people a minority in their own lands – especially in the city of Gwadar – while simultaneously denying them equal rights and autonomy over the region’s resources.
Below is an article published by The News:
Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal said that they [the Baloch] are not against progress and prosperity, but that legislation had to be made to stop making the Baloch nation a minority.
“Our right to rule and ownership should be accepted. Mian Sahib thinks of taking advantages from the Gwadar Port by making Hasil Bijenzo a minister but that is his wishful thinking,“ the BNP chief said while addressing a public gathering on Tuesday [24 May 2016].
He urged to ensure the return of millions of Afghan refugees with dignity. He said that Musharraf and his allies presented Baloch handcuffed and blindfolded in courts, but they did not bow down their heads while the dictator had to go to Dubai and London.
“We are loyal to our nation. We are called traitors for demanding our due rights. We are weak, but have clear conscience. We do not need such development in which our children die of thirst.”
Mengal said that a new conspiracy has been hatched to loot the masses in the name of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. “We do not accept any agreement, including the CPEC, until the Baloch nation is given full rights”. He said that the Baloch are not against anyone, but simply want authority over their land, sea and resources.
