- Asif needs to take Baloch on board.
- “The Pak-Afghan government should take action to resolve security issues.”
- The ministers condemn the practice of targeting the families of the opponents.
Defense Minister Khwaja Asif said on Monday that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif should play a role in addressing the issue of Balochistan amid opposition to Baluchistan.
The Defense Minister said, “Nawaz has already expressed his desire to engage in this matter, but is currently following medical advice to rest … He can play an active role after EID,” the Defense Minister said Live news Program ‘Capital Talk’.
His statement follows the shutter-down strike in various cities of Balochistan and opposes the recent arrest of the BYC leadership in Karachi and a crack on his sit-in in Quetta.
The chief organizer of Byc, Dr. Mehrang Baloch and 16 other activists were arrested on Saturday from their protest camp in Sariab Road, Quetta, a day later he claimed that three protesters were killed due to police action.
150 persons, including prominent BYC leaders, are facing allegations of incorporating various serious crimes such as Mahrang, terrorism, abolition for rebellion and murder.
The first information report (FIR) filed at Saraab Police Station on Saturday includes a violation of Section 7 and 11W of the Anti -Terrorism Act, as well as 16 sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Speaking during today’s program, the Defense Minister said that any decision about Balochistan should be made in consultation with the traditional Baloch leadership. He insisted that globally, conflicts are resolved through dialogue, and a uniform approach to Balochistan should be adopted.
Responding to a question about the police treatment of the protesters in Karachi, he admitted that the arrest should be done according to the law, and all matters should be decided through negotiations.
Asif said that complaints in Balochistan are 50 years old and needed meaningful engagement.
The Defense Minister said that Chief Minister Sarafraj Bugti should lead the process of negotiation, while former Chief Minister of Balochistan, Dr. Abdul Malik can play an important role in facilitating the Baloch dialogue.
‘Afghanistan’
When questioned about Afghanistan, Asif expressed concern over the deteriorating situation since Kabul’s visit about two years ago. He insisted that Pakistan and Afghanistan should take extraordinary measures to improve bilateral relations.
“I visited Kabul about a year and a half ago, and the discussion took place in a positive atmosphere. However, since then, the situation has only deteriorated, which is unfortunate,” said Asif. He reiterated Pakistan’s desire to maintain a stable and friendly relationship with Afghanistan without any change.
Commenting on security concerns, Asif said that there was a relationship with Afghanistan in recent terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Many terrorists have been abolished, and a significant number of them were Afghan citizens,” he claimed.
He also said that a large section of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is currently located in Afghanistan.
The Defense Minister insisted that the two governments should take decisive and extraordinary action to resolve these security challenges and prevent relations from getting worse.
Arrest of journalists
In response to a question about the action of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against journalists, Asif said that the country has a toxic atmosphere, and social media has played a major role in fueling it.
He emphasized that political criticism should be based on ideological differences rather than personal attacks.
Expressing concern over online harassment, the minister condemned the practice of targeting the families of opponents. “It is unfair to draw mothers and sisters on social media into political rivals on social media,” he said.
Regarding the prevention of the Electronic Crime Act (PECA), the minister said that when the law is present, the government should be aware of its implications and ensure that it is not misuse for political purposes.
