Balochistan leaders unimpressed by Malik's negotiation claims

Islamabad, Feb 24 (ANI): Balochistan nationalist parties have expressed mistrust over Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik's claims that the government will soon withdraw cases against angry Baloch leaders and hold negotiations with them.

The Express Tribune quoted nationalist parties as saying that they do not trust Malik or government institutions, as they had "betrayed the Baloch people" on several occasions in the past.

Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal questioned how the rulers could come up with solutions for Balochistan if they did not know the problem, adding that no one takes in Balochistan takes Malik's statements seriously.

Mengal said that, if the government was serious, it would have not asked Malik to announce its decision.

"Baloch leaders were implicated in fake cases. Therefore, the withdrawal of cases is not a big issue," he said, adding that the prevailing trust deficit between rulers and Baloch leaders is because of the government and its functionaries' discriminatory attitude towards the province.

"All the government is doing is giving an impression to America and Europe that they are ready for negotiations, but Baloch leaders are refusing the offer. They must not fool themselves," he added.

President of National Party (NP) Dr Malik said that his party was yet to decide whether to participate in the APC recently called by the prime minister. (ANI)