Southern Command Commander Lt Gen Jawaid Zia has expressed concern over the series of killing of Baloch missing persons and the dumping of their bodies in open areas, saying the incidents could harm the country in the shape of the breaking away of Balochistan. Lt Gen Jawaid Zia was talking to senior journalists at the Quetta Press Club on Thursday. Inspector General of Frontier Corps Balochistan Major General Obaidullah Khattak was also present.
Uninvolved: He said the army had no policy that entailed the abduction of Baloch people and dumping their bodies in isolated areas. He said the army knew well that it was a very serious and highly sensitive issue and would only invite hatred. “Certain elements who do not believe in courts of law are involved in the killing and throwing of bodies of missing persons, however, despite that [if someone is at fault and involved in some crime], this is no way to treat somebody and there is no such policy of army chief General Ashfaq Kayani,” he said. Zia said he understood that the sentiments of affected families turned against the state and government when they faced such tragic loss of a loved one. “It is unfortunate that Baloch youngsters burn the national flag or get involved in sabotage activities for money and ‘patriotic elements’ then hit them. I should be saying this being an army man, but I am of the view that even those involved in the torching of the national flag should not be treated like the missing persons are,” Lt Gen Zia said.
Resources: He categorically dispelled the impression that the army wanted to capture the resources of Balochistan by initiating the mines and mineral projects, saying the army would get nothing from those projects.
