AVOID PUSHING THE SITUATION OF BALOCHISTAN
TO THE POINT OF NO-RETURN – MQM COORDINATION COMMITTEE
 

Karachi-19 March 2005

An important meeting was called by the Central Coordination Committee (Rabta Committee) of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) during which the deteriorating situation in Balochistan was thoroughly discussed. The Members of the Central Coordination Committee severely condemned the action of the security forces on Thursday in Dera Bugti during which innumerable innocent Baloch were killed and wounded. During the Meeting it was unanimously resolved that the MQM is a principled party and therefore, it cannot condone any action taken with the objective to forcefully decimate or deprive any ethno-linguistic group or ethno-linguistic national minority, religious minority or any section of the population of their rights.

It was also resolved in the meeting that the MQM terms solution of any provincial conflict or difference with Centre at gunpoint unconstitutional, unlawful, immoral, and inhuman and believes in resolution of conflicts through peaceful and sincere dialogue. The members of the Central Coordination Committee condemning the action of the security forces in Dera Bugti reiterated that this kind of atrocities is against the national interests and exacerbates hatred and sense of alienation amongst the people while creates environment of uncertainty.

The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee demanded of the authorities not to push the Balochistan conflict to the point of no-return and also urged to the President of Pakistan, Prime Minister of Pakistan and the people at the helms of affair to immediately stop the use of force in Balochistan generally and in Sui and Dera Bugti particularly and resolve the issue through peaceful and sincere negotiations democratically. The Members also demanded to grant total provincial autonomy to Balochistan, Sindh and North-West Frontier Provinces in accordance with the demands of the Twenty-first Century and expedite the actions of the Parliamentary Committee set-up to resolve the problems of Balochistan.

The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee unanimously resolved that the MQM despite being in the Government cannot separate itself from the its principled objectives of the grant of total provincial autonomy to the provinces including Balochistan and would continue to raise its voice in the parliament and other forums as well. The Members of the Central Coordination Committee prayed for those who died in the action of the security forces and also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Finally, they assured the people of Balochistan that the MQM is with them and would continue to support their cause. Dr Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convenor, briefed the Members of his discussions with the Prime Minister.