IMRAN FAROOQ DISCUSSES BALOCHISTAN ISSUE AND KALABAGH DAM
WITH AKHTAR MENGAL AND MAKHDOOM AMIN FAHEEM

London – 31^st December 2005...MQM Convenor Dr Imran Farooq held telephonic conversations with President Balochistan National Party (BNP) Mr Akhtar Mengal and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) Mr Makhdoom Amin Faheem on the current situation in Balochistan, Kalabagh Dam and the country’s situation in general.

Speaking to Mr Mengal, Dr Farooq deplored the ongoing operation in Balochistan against the innocent Baloch people and expressed his sorrow and grief over the killings of innocent women, children and youth during this operation. Dr Farooq reminded Mr Mengal that being in the coalition government, MQM in the past adopted its principled stand on the issue of operation in Balochistan and even today despite being a coalition partner, the MQM is raising its voice at every forum against the army operation in Balochistan. He emphasised that on the issue of Balochistan and Kalabagh Dam, MQM stands with the people of Balochistan and smaller provinces. He said that we believe the situation in Balochistan is a political issue and must be resolved through negotiations and dialogue and not through brute force.

Speaking on behalf of the people of Balochistan Mr Mengal expressed his gratitude towards the MQM for its courageous stand on the Balochistan issue and for expressing its unity with the people of Balochistan. He said that MQM’s courageous stand is seen by the people of Balochistan with respect and they will never forget the MQM’s support.

While speaking with the President of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian Mr Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Dr Imran Farooq discussed the issue of Kalabagh Dam. Dr Farooq said that despite the political differences between MQM and the PPP, in the larger interest of smaller provinces, particularly Sindh, we must rise above our differences as our life and death is associated with the Sindh Province. While agreeing with Dr Imran Farooq, Mr Makhdoom Amin Faheem stressed upon the need of bilateral cooperation for the rights of Sindh. Both the leaders also agreed for the continuation of mutual contacts.