Ex-Baloch CM shocked over Pak's contradictory reaction to Baloch-Kashmir "self-determination" issue

Islamabad, Feb 20 (ANI): Former Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal has expressed surprise over Pakistan's damning reaction over the resolution tabled by a Congressman in the US House of Representatives to deal with issues in the fragile Pakistani province, saying Islamabad had been behaving like Washington as far as Kashmir is concerned.

He went on to say they could not complain about the right of self-determination, as it was main article of the UN Charter and Pakistan was a member of the world body.

"If they are criticising the use of the word self-determination, then the Pakistani rulers are raising the same slogan for Kashmir since 1948, the same Kashmir which was a part of the united India," he insisted.

The BBC quoted Mengal, as saying that he was astonished to see that so much noise was being made in Pakistan on the issue by not only the government, but even all the political parties.

He said the role played by the rulers, both previous and present, and the corpses of Baloch elders and youth had widened the gulf between Pakistan and Balochistan.

"I don't think that there has been any change in the rulers' intentions and attitude. And Balochistan would move further away (from the Centre) if these aims and objectives remained unchanged," he said.

"I am unable to understand which word of the resolution is objectionable to Pakistan's institutions and political parties. Right of self-determination or Balochistan," Mengal added. (ANI)