National Party Chief Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch has said that the security forces are pushing people into destitution and starvation. He said that the border trade – a lifeline for the people living near the border – has now become a kind of “political bribery” where the security forces are extorting handsome sums of money from desperate traders using the route. He said that his party – the National Party – has always worked in the interest of the people and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members of the National Party, Dr. Malik Baloch said that the NP firmly believes in democracy, fair and transparent elections and parliamentary politics. He said that the camaraderie between the party members and leadership is a telltale sign of the party’s firm belief in these concepts.
Addressing the newly elected members, Dr. Malik Baloch said that the National Party has raised its voice against the restrictions imposed on commercial fishing in Gwadar. We brought the issue of water shortage in Makran to ruling leadership and protested against the sinister practice of “enforced disappearance” and advocated for the safe return of the thousands of Baloch missing persons. He said that the National Party then took up economic issues facing Balochistan and the closure of the border trade in particular, as it has deprived thousands of households of their only source of living.
He said that the border routes and crossings are under the supervision of the Pakistani security forces; their erratic actions have plunged the people of Balochistan into starvation and destitution. He said that this country must transition from a “security state” to a “welfare state” that actually cares about its civilians and protects their interests.
Speaking at the abysmal condition of Balochistan’s education system, Dr. Malik Baloch said that the termination of the Jhalawan Medical College Project had severely affected the people of Balochistan, especially the students. He said that we demand that the government re-initiate the project and bring it to completion.