Aman Itehad, an alliance of various NGOs has urged the government to come up with a political solution to ensure security of life and livelihood for the people of Balochistan in pursuance with their aspirations to help restore trust.
While addressing a press conference, here on Thursday, Khawar Mumtaz, Chief Executive Officer Shirkat Gah, said Aman Itehad is citizens' platform striving for peace, democracy and justice in Pakistan. The CEO said Aman has given call to hold rallies on January 1, 2011, as an expression of solidarity with those suffering from violence in any form; suicide attacks, bomb blasts, target killings, kidnappings torture killings. "These rallies will be held in 108 different locations across Pakistan".
Irfan Mufti, Executive Director South Asia Partnership Pakistan, said that Aman Ittehad calls upon the state to refrain from use of force and immediately end military action in the province. He said Aman Ittehad calls for evolving mechanisms that provide effective recourse to those suffering at the hands of representatives of state institutions, influential, extremists and militants using the prevailing law and order situation to exploit citizens by propagating terror and use of force.
He further said tens of thousands of citizens will participate in the 'Solidarity Day' rallies to demand that people's interest is the only national interest to define all actions and policies of the state. He added that the rallies will condemn use of political, military or economic power for oppression or exploitation of citizens.
Raising concerns over the growing insecurities, civil society representatives demanded urgent actions on the part of government. They also demanded end to the protection of state and non-state actors that take the law in their hands and propagate or encourage militancy and extremism by their words or actions. It may be mentioned here that Aman Itehad was formed by NGOs namely Shirkat Gah, South Asia Partnership-Pakistan, Aurat Foundation, Working Women Organisation and Anjuman-e-Mazareen Okara.