Balochistan can’t be separated in army presence: Musharraf

* Former president says only four percent of Pakistan’s population lives in Balochistan

KARACHI: Former president Pervez Musharraf has said as long as Pakistan Army was there, Balochistan could not be separated from Pakistan.

Addressing retired army officers organisation ‘Pakistan First’ over the video link on situation in Balochistan, the leader of All Pakistan Muslim League and former army chief said Balochistan Liberation Army is an organisation of militants supported by foreign elements and targeting non locals in the province. He regretted that some politicians were supporting the separatists for political gains.

The former president said out of 160 tribes in the province, only Sardars of three namely Bugti, Marri and Mengal wanted separation of Balochistan for their vested interests and they had the backing of forces involved in destabilising Pakistan.

He said Talal Bugti, Shahzeb Bugti and others were in contact with the foreigners for this purpose. He said only four percent of Pakistan’s population lives in Balochistan and 60 percent among it had rejected the separatists.

He regretted that people of Pakistan were not fully abreast with the situation in Balochistan and they were perturbed over the prevailing situation.

Musharraf said the situation had worsened in Balochistan due to failure of the government and he felt pained over it. He said during his tenure, four universities and three cadet colleges were opened in Balochistan and all the Master degree holders were given ten thousand rupees scholarships and jobs.

Speaking on the occasion, retired army officers expressed concern over the situation in the province. The function was attended by a large number of retired army officers. inp

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