Pakistan's ex-PM Benazir Condemns Detention, Persecution of Political Activists
'Pakistan Times' National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's ex-Prime Minister and PPP Chairperson Ms Benazir Bhutto has condemned the detention of several leaders of the Balochistan National Party BNP (Mengal) while on way to Nushki to address public meeting and called upon the regime not to push the political forces with their backs to the wall.

BNP-M has complained that its acting president Dr. Jahanzeb Jamaldini, Secretary General Habibn Jalib and several other office bearers were taken into custody on Sunday in Quetta and Naushki tostop them from addressing a public meeting.

In a statement today Party Chairperson Ms Benazir Bhutto said that the Party is deeply concerned over the continued suppression and denial of the fundamental rights of the people of Balochistan and suppression of political dissent in the country.

The Party demands an end to persecution and release of all political prisoners, she said.

“The denial of political rights is alienating the people of Balochistan and can have far reaching consequences on the future unity and integrity of the country”.

Ms Benazir Bhutto said that the right to peaceful protest and holding public meetings was a fundamental human right.

Political problems needed political solutions but unfortunately the present regime has relied on administrative measures rather than on political solutions, she said.

The former Prime Minister also called for the release of Mr Akhtar Mengal former provincial Chief Minister and president of the BNP-M.

Akhtar Mengal was arrested on November 28, 2006 along with 14 of his party men and is being tried in an Anti Terrorist Court. The whereabouts of his 14 companions who were removed to an undisclosed destination is still not known..

Mr. Akhtar Mengal is being tried in camera in a Karachi prison and human rights groups and family members are not allowed to witness the proceedings. A representative of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, who was allowed to witness only the first hearing, said that Mr Mengal was brought into the courtroom and shoved into an iron cage that stood in a corner away from his counsel.

The PPP calls upon the regime to respect the national and international covenants that forbids intimidation, harassment, disappearances, and elimination of ethnic minorities for demanding political and economic rights of their people and region, she said.

“The Party urges national and international human rights bodies and organisations to take notice of gross human rights violations, systematic elimination of progressive and secular political forces and enforced disappearances in the country”.●