Chowrangi

Rauf Mengal, lone member of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) in the National Assembly, resigned in protest against killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti.

“I am quitting in protest against the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in a military operation in Balochistan and against the kidnapping of political workers by the agencies. That leaves me with no reason to continue as a member of this House,” he said in his 20-minutes emotional speech which was heard in pin drop silence.

Rauf Mengal flayed the military operation in Balochistan and condemned the killing of the Baloch struggling to get their due rights.

He accused the regime of committing gross human rights violations in the province. Rauf Mengal said the people are celebrating Defence Day while on the other hand Black Day is being observed for the martyrs in Balochistan and Sindh.

“For the last 59 years Balochistan has been targeted and only bombing has become the fate of the people of Balochistan,”

He said the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti at the age of 80 was a gruesome murder and Bugti is a martyr.

“His body was not handed over to the heirs, something which can only be condemned as inhuman, callous and contrary to religious injunctions. What message do they want to convey to us by putting a lock on the coffin of Nawab Akbar Bugti,” he asked.

He said Jamil Bugti, son of Nawab Akbar Bugti, has expressed fears that the government would kill DCO and Mulla Malook and put the blame on the family of Nawab Bugti. He said the provincial assemblies of Balochistan and NWFP passed a resolution against the establishment of cantonments in Balochistan but it was not honoured.

Rauf Mengal said cases have been lodged against Senator Sanaullah Baloch and his brothers while his brothers have been missing, adding that there are numerous youngsters languishing in prisons of Balochistan and are not being presented before courts.

He disclosed that Senator Sanaullah Baloch would fax his resignation to the chairman Senate. He bitterly criticised the policies of President Musharraf, saying violation of the Constitution, and human rights all have occurred during his tenure. “The fallout of the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti would be very serious and grave. Of what use are the mega projects if the government cannot provide justice to our mothers and sisters,” he said.

He appealed to the United Nations and to all the human right organisations to help the people of Balochistan and end the military operation.

Rauf Mengal urged the opposition to resign from the assemblies to show solidarity with the people of Balochistan. However it seems that opposition do not want to leave the lucrative perks and benefits of assemblies.

Earlier, members from both sides and even the speaker tried to persuade Rauf Mengal to change his mind, but they failed to do so. The speaker did not hear his speech as he went to his chamber leaving the House to the deputy speaker who conducted the business afterwards.

BNP members in the Balochistan Assembly have already tendered their resignations.

Source: DAWN

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