POLITICAL DIALOGUE MUST BE INITIATED TO IMPROVE
THE DETERIORATING SITUATION OF BALOCHISTAN
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SITUATION PUSHING PAKISTAN
INTO ISOLATION - ALTAF HUSSAIN

London-6 February 2006

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in his statement issued form London stated that national and international situation is becoming extremely alarming and in particular the strategic geo-political situation in South Asia is fast changing. The changing conditions of the world are pushing the world to the directions that existed during First and Second World Wars. He further added that the situation is further precipitating on the stand of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the response of Iranian Government over uranium enrichment programme in Iran. He said that on one hand, the resistance of Taliban in Afghanistan is intensifying while on the other the prevailing condition in South and North Waziristan, Gilgit Baltistan and Bajour Agency is most disturbing and unsatisfactory. He emphasised that the United States of America and the West are getting closer into India while Pakistan appears to be going in isolation.

Mr Altaf Hussain expressing his concerns said that incidents of removal of railway tracks, explosion in passenger buses, bomb explosions and attacks on sensitive installations in Balochistan has intensified manifold which is worsening the conditions in Balochistan where innocent children, men and women are being killed as a result of attacks and counter-attacks between insurgents and Government troops. He said that it is now imperative to initiate a dialogue immediately to reach a political solution of the deteriorating conditions in Balochistan. He added that if we can engage in dialogue with India for peace then why can we not begin dialogue with the People and leaders of Balochistan? He further said that we are talking to India and Kashmiri leaders over the issue of Kashmir having fought three wars over Kashmir then we should immediately begin the process of dialogue before the situation in Balochistan reaches the point of no return. He also stressed that the alarming national and international situation demands   sincere efforts on promotion of national integration, intra-provincial harmony, ending discord and differences between provinces and the people. Concluding his statement, he said that if these efforts were not made then the history would never forgive us if the country confronted with another disaster.