Rabbani calls for political solution of Balochistan issue through parliament

ISLAMABAD: Former chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani has called for political solution of the Balochistan issue through parliament, saying the issues of the province cannot be addressed only through economic development but a solution carved out of political consensus is essential.

“Parliament is the sole vehicle that can take such an initiative and to achieve it an all parties parliamentary committee must be constituted immediately,” he suggested in a statement on Friday.

Rabbani said the parliamentary committee must reach out to the genuine Baloch leadership -- including former chief minister Dr Malik Baloch, Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Akhtar Mengal, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leadership and other democratic forces in the province. “The reach-out may extend to Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), if it’s struggling within the confines of the 1973 Constitution and the state,” he suggested. The former chairman Senate proposed nine points that the proposed parliamentary committee must ensure:

“The genuine political leadership is brought in the main stream of politics.

“The people’s political choices will be respected and accepted. “Fundamental rights under the Constitution, 1973, of the people will be respected. “The issue of missing persons be settled.