We have blueprint of enemy’s intentions: Malik

* Minister says there is evidence of infiltration from Afghanistan

* Baloch militant groups have killed 252 settlers since January

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The country’s authorities have a blueprint of the enemy’s intentions, which culminate at Pakistan’s destabilisation, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the Senate on Tuesday.

Winding up a discussion on the resolutions admitted by the House on the deaths of Baloch leaders Habib Jalib and Maula Bakhsh Dashti, the minister said someone is encouraging the hostile elements active in Balochistan, Mohmand Agency, Swat and other troubled areas of the country.

“I had raised these issues with Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram… they will look into it and let us know about their position,” Malik said. He added that there was evidence of infiltration from Afghanistan and the issue had also been raised with the Afghan government and US authorities.

He said the parallel military forces created by some Baloch leaders have this year killed three army officers, 21 FC personnel, 29 policemen, 26 settlers from Punjab, 21 from Khyber Pakhtunkwa, 12 from Sindh and 112 from other parts of the country.

Settlers: Malik told the Senate that settlers were being killed in Balochistan, adding that more than 100,000 settlers had so far migrated from the province. He told the House that 252 settlers had been killed since January this year, on the behest of foreign elements.

“Terrorism is pervading the country, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan. Does this mean they should all create liberation armies? Balochistan is a part of Pakistan, then why are settlers being killed there,” he questioned.

The minister said there was no doubt that “hidden hands” were behind the Balochistan unrest, adding that he was sure that the Baloch were being used by these elements. He particularly assured the Baloch senators of providing concrete evidence, including photographs, in an in-camera briefing to prove that the Baloch were acting on someone else’s orders to destabilise the country. “I will disclose before you who the hidden hands are, who are using them and where they are trained,” he added.

Malik added that the Taliban are neither the friends of Islam nor Pakistan. They are fighting for the sake of money, he added. He also asked the chair to constitute a committee to look into the hardcore issues related to Balochistan.

He said there was no concept of violence, liberation forces, militias and armies in political parties, however, four such forces were operating in Balochistan, which he said were being funded by foreign elements. The minister questioned the Baloch parliamentarians as to why they do not react when the national flag is set ablaze in their province.

“The Balochistan Liberation Army is being run by Haribyar. The Balochistan Republic Army is also active there. Dr Allah Nazar is heading the Balochistan Liberation Front, while Maula Bakhsh Dashti and Javed Mengal have created the Lashkar-e-Balochistan,” he informed the House. He said the elimination of liberation forces is must for stability and peace in the country.

Malik also asked the liberation leaders to come and jointly hoist the Pakistani flag across Balochistan and commit to the nation that they will not fight against the country. In return, he added, their demands would be fulfilled.

 

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\07\28\story_28-7-2010_pg1_1