Former Senator Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani Addresses Seminar on Balochistan’s Future and Political Challenges

Quetta:Former Senator Nawabzada Hajji Lashkari Raisani, Chairman of the Balochistan Peace Forum, emphasized his deep commitment to the land and principles governing it during a seminar held at the Quetta Press Club. Addressing the gathering, Raisani underscored the responsibility towards future generations, stressing that no effort should be spared to safeguard the dignity and honor of Balochistan.

“Our commitment and relationship are rooted in this soil, and our worth lies in this land,” Raisani declared passionately. He criticized factions within political parties that, according to him, betray the motherland for personal gains. He reiterated his dedication to draw a clear line between right and wrong through conscientious efforts to lift the province out of crises and secure a better future for generations to come.

The seminar, organized to discuss Balochistan’s plight and the role of political parties, saw speeches from senior journalists like Anwar Sajjadi, President of the Quetta Press Club Abdul Khaliq Rind, former provincial assembly member Nasrullah Zehri, former federal minister Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd, Omar Jan Baloch, former Secretary-General of the Quetta Bar Association Changiz Hay Baloch, senior journalist Reza Rahman, Tur Agha, Rozina Khalji, Atif Hazara, Chaudhry Zabir, Waheed Zahir, and Shoaib Raisani.

Expressing gratitude to the seminar participants, Nawabzada Hajji Lashkari Khan Raisani highlighted the significance of their collective participation in discussions as a serious indicator of their commitment to the future. He condemned recent incidents in Bannu and expressed solidarity with affected families, condemning attempts to suppress peaceful political voices and create artificial security issues.

Raisani recalled his leadership during the government formation in 2008, where efforts were made to resolve issues in Gwadar by cancelling dubious land allotments and designating Gwadar as the provincial capital. He lamented that since then, Balochistan has been plagued by manufactured security problems and divisive tactics to weaken the province.

Regarding the 2024 elections, Raisani mentioned the boycott by a religious group but highlighted the unity forged in the Senate by alliances, including the invitation extended to Balochistan Awami Party by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Pakistan Peoples Party. He questioned the underrepresentation of Balochistan’s members in the National Assembly but acknowledged equal representation in the Senate, albeit with power over the province wielded by outsiders.

Raisani concluded by calling upon political parties to collectively boycott all-party conferences that align with establishment interests, emphasizing that those who change their stance are no longer part of his party. He expressed his readiness to contest elections again in 2018 to expose the system’s flaws, criticizing those who use emotional slogans and manipulate the province’s future.