Former Chief Minister of Balochistan Dr Malik Baloch has said that his party, the National Party, will not be scared out of politics by the “armed clique.” He said that the government crackdown on the National Party is understandable; what’s baffling is how a group of “freedom fighters”, those who constantly raise the slogans of an independent Balochistan, can be against the National Party?, he questioned.
According to the details, the National Party held a large gathering in district Kech on Monday. A large number of the party leaders attended the gathering, including the former Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch. Several civil leaders also announced their entrance into the National Party, including Faisal Munshi Mohammad, Sher Jan and a few others.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Malik Baloch said that the “Sarmachar” and the government are on the same page; they want to distance the National Party from its democratic politics. He said that after the “martyrdom” of Mola Baksh Dashti – an eminent National Party politician who was assassinated in July 2010 – we are no longer scared of the armed coterie. All other political parties enjoy significant freedom in Balochistan; only the National Party faces suppression, he said.
The National Party chairman condemned the recent attack on party leader Mullah Barkat in Kech, saying that labelling him a state agent is “pitiful.” He said that Barkat followed Ghous Baksh Bizenjo’s approach towards peaceful politics, and he still adheres to that ideology. “Killing such people is unfortunate – the National Party will vigorously oppose such tactics”, he said.
Mullah Barkat is a senior National Party politician hailing from district Kech. A few days ago, he was attacked in Turbat by the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), which then claimed responsibility for the attack. Barkat remained unscathed in the attack – the bulletproof vehicle he was travelling in saved his life. BLF spokesperson said in a later statement that Barkat is a death squad leader who has been embedded in the National Party by the Pakistani state. He said that Barkat escaped the attack, but he will not roam safely for long.
Mullah Barkat denied BLF’s categorization of him as a “death squad leader”, calling the allegation “ludicrous.” He said that he is a follower of the Ghous Baksh Bizenjo’s political ideology, and such attacks will not prompt him to leave politics. He said if the “pro-independence” groups play this role in the society, we think that they have goals beyond the Baloch national struggle.
The National Party also condemned the attack on its senior politician and called for Balochistan-wide protests. They said that it is our primary duty to protect our politicians. The National Party also appealed to the government to investigate the incident and arrest the “terrorists” behind it.