QUETTA: Other leaders joined Sardar Akhtar Mengal in condemning the target killing of innocent people in Mastung and Quetta accusing the Government of failure to protect the life and property of the people.

Among others, Asghar Achakzai, Dr Hyee Baloch, Abdul Khaliq Hazara, and Wahid Baloch of the BNP (Awami) addressed a news conference at the Quetta Press Club on Thursday afternoon.

Sardar Mengal took the lead in expressing his views on the current political situation saying that “we are democratic people and believe in democracy and we were denied holding mass public meeting in Quetta during the recent by elections and also afterward.”

He said that he wanted to hold the public meeting at the Hockey Ground  and later on Nawab Nauroz Khan Stadium and the Government denied permission citing security issues.

Sardar Mengal said it was an anti-democratic move of the Government to deny holding public meeting and the Government had flagrantly violated the democratic norms.

“The recent by elections in Chagai constituency proved beyond doubt that “we are true democrats promoting brotherhood among the people. We always opposed the autocratic and anti-democratic forces in all forms and expression and waged untiring struggle against them,” the BNP President told the newsmen.

He strongly condemned the target killing of innocent people in Quetta and Mastung and it is a proof that the Government had failed to protect the life and honour of the innocent people.

Sardar Mengal deplored the attitude of the Government saying that they refused to concede that there is clear breakdown of law and order, life of the law abiding citizens are not safe and it is a failure of the Government of the day.

The former Chief Minister of Balochistan praised the electoral alliance under the leadership of BNP saying he was thankful that the political allies expressed their full support and trust. He said that ANP, HDP, BNP (Awami) and Pakhtuns, Balochs and Hazara tribesmen extended unqualified support to our candidate.

“Such a democratic alliance is a good sign and the allies had left a good example for political maturity and understanding,” Sardar Mengal said.

The by-election results proved that the 2013 election mandate was robbed by the rulers and handed over to those who did not enjoy the trust and confidence of the people, the BNP President said. There was no example in the political history that how the Government manipulated the voting, polling and announcement of results and rigged the elections in favour of the candidates backed by the Pakistani establishment, He added.

“We got 37000 votes through the power of the people and not by tampering votes and by rigging the election,” he added.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal extended a note of warning that if the people of Balochistan are denied the democratic right to free and transparent elections, then it can pose a serious threat to the regional peace and stability.

He said if a ruler is facing corruption charges, he should immediately resign on moral ground and without losing time. He said that rulers the world over resign on smaller issues while the majority people are seeking resignation of the Prime Minister and he is reluctant to resign despite the serious allegations against him.

The Provincial ANP President Mr. Asghar Achakzai, strongly condemned the target killing in Mastung, Quetta and Chaman saying if the lives of senior most police officers are not safe then what will happen to the ordinary citizens and where they should go.

He also complained that ANP was not allowed to hold public meetings on two occasions in the past.

Mr. Abdul Khaliq Hazara also condemned the target killing in Mastung and Quetta saying that the terrorists are trying to create misunderstanding among the brotherly people belonging to different ethnic groups

Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch declared that the present political alliance will be retained in Balochistan. He said that the Government is spending billions and still there is lawlessness and target killing of innocent people.