Rabbani asks PM to bring Akhtar Mengal back to Parliament

ISLAMABAD: Former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani said on Wednesday that the resignation of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, from his seat in the National Assembly is a distress signal from a province and the state must listen to him and other nationalist leaders who have chosen the path of dialogue over violence.

“The Prime Minister should as a priority bring back Akhtar Mengal to the Parliament,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Rabbani said it is yet another reminder that Balochistan, rich in resources but impoverished by neglect continues to be marginalized and ignored. He said the nationalist leaders like Sardar Akhtar Mengal, chose the path of mainstream politics over separatism, hoping that their participation in the parliamentary process, brings the plight of their people to the attention of the federation.

He said the participation of leaders like Late Hasil Bizenjo and Dr. Abdul Malik in the process of 18th Amendment proved that they seek a political solution within the framework of the Constitution, 1973. “The issues that have pushed the Balochistan to the brink must be addressed immediately,” he said.

Rabbani said a political solution to the Balochistan issue is all the more important in order to neutralize the threat pushed by militant organizations that seek to destabilize the country.