18th Amendment Has Increased Charity For Balochistan Not Autonomy: Akhtar Mengal

Quetta – Sardar Akhtar Mengal, chief of Balochistan National Party (BNP), has rejected the notion that 18th amendment has provided the required autonomy to Balochistan. He said that 18th amendment has only increased charity for Balochistan not autonomy.

Akhtar Mengal said this while giving a detailed interview to Dawn News on Thursday.

“Inspector General Police and Chief Secretary are appointed by Federal government so in such a scenario provincial autonomy is just an illusion,” lamented BNP Chief. “18th amendment has only increased the financial gains of Balochistan which are unfortunately going into pockets of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats,” He continued.

Sardar Mengal linked his participation in any future All Parties Conference (APC) to certain confidence building measures. “The problem of missing persons and mutilated dead bodies should be solved before calling a APC,” said Mr. Mengal.

Calling the political rulers of Balochistan, Powerless, He said that “APC on Balochistan would be a mere photo session and we don’t want to be a part of it.”

Akhtar Mengal speculated that Nawaz Sharif is not in talking terms with him anymore because he raised the Balochistan issue in last APC and Nawaz Sharif didn’t like it.

Balochistan government also received severe criticism from former Chief Minister on Rekodiq issue. “If Rekodiq is sold by Balochistan government for financial gains then people of Balochistan will never forgive them,” said Mr. Mengal.

He also said that “government of Nawab Aslam Raisani was toppled because He [Aslam Raisani] took a stand on Rekodiq issue.”

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Published in The Balochistan Point on January 16, 2015