In a statement from London issued here on Wednesday by Sajid Tareen advocate member of the Central Committee of BNP, he said that during the talks with government team in London he informed about the condition regarding Nawab Marri and his sons for further negotiation on the issue. “ As far as Nawab Marri was not released unconditionally and cases against his sons were not withdrawn no body should come for further talks on the Oil and Gas issue,” Sardar Mengal told the emissary of the Government of Pakistan in London.

He said that Balochistan was very rich in natural resources but during last 52 years nothing was done for the development of this backward province while its natural resources were used for the development of Punjab and other areas of the country.

The first elected former Chief Minister of Balochistan Sardar Ataullah Mengal said that if Government of Pakistan was really interested for the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including Oil and Gas, of this province then first of all it should recognize the principle that these resources belong to Balochistan.

“People of Balochistan are real owner of these resources,” Sardar Attaullah Mengal remarked adding that when this reality would be accepted, he himself would extend full cooperation on behalf of his people. “Full protection would be provided to the engineers and other staff and survey teams would work for the exploration and exploitation of Oil, Gas and other natural resources in the province,” former Chief Minister Balochistan said when conditions he put before the negotiation team were accepted.

There would be no compromise on retaining the national rights and get red of Punjabi domination, he said adding that we would stand committed to our principles. Sardar Mengal warned that without accepting last 52-year’s mistakes and removing misunderstandings created due to Punjabi domination, the provinces were not granted autonomy on equal basis then no body could guarantee the integrity and stability of the country.

The Chief of Balochistan National party assured that the national and political rights and interests of the people and backwardness of Balochistan would kept in view whenever negotiation would be held on the issue of Oil and Gas exploration in the province. “All decision regarding exploration of Oil and Gas would be taken with the consultation of the people of Balochistan, political friends and those others who struggled for the protection of rights of the people and resources of Balochistan,” Sardar Attaullah Mengal assured.

He strongly reacted over the government for not providing proper medical treatment to the veteran Baloch leader Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri in jail and demanded that he should be given medical treatment of his own choice.

Thursday, May 31, 2001 www.Balochistanexpress.com