Quetta visit: Kayani wants an inclusive election in Balochistan

File Photo: General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visiting Balochistan Institute of Technical Training running under Southern Command at Quetta

In what appears to be a move aimed at quelling growing divisions in the province, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday urged all political parties in Balochistan to participate in the upcoming elections.

Arriving in the provincial capital of Quetta, Kayani held in depth meetings with Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and caretaker Chief Minister Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai.

According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meetings discussed the conduct of the upcoming general elections and the overall security situation in the province.  General Kayani reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to extend all possible assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan for holding free, fair and peaceful elections.

He assured the provincial leadership that the armed forces would welcome an “all inclusive elections” in the province. Kayani emphasised the need for participation by all political parties in the May elections, and was quoted in the statement as saying “The army is prepared to extend all necessary support in this regard.”
The army chief’s statement came just weeks before what many believe will be a historic democratic transition from one civilian administration to another.

A military official told The Express Tribune that the army strongly believes that the revival of political activities in Balochistan would help address the longstanding problems of the province. Balochistan’s nationalist parties boycotted the general elections in 2008. However, there are growing signs that many are now willing to participate in the May 11 polls.

The chief of Balochistan National Party Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who recently returned home ending a four-year self imposed exile, hinted at his party’s participation in the election process. But Mengal’s party is under pressure from radical nationalists to stay away from the polls.

Nevertheless, many political parties including National Party, Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) and Jamat-e-Islami have already announced their participation in the elections, including the candidates they plan to field in the upcoming polls.

< Express Tribune >