Shujaat, Bugti form monitoring body to overcome issues
By Attaul Mohsin Syed - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Vowing to have achieved substantial progress to reduce tension, PML President Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Jamhoori Wattan Party (JWP) Chief Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti on Monday finalised the names for a three-member committee to overcome issues, which formed basis of the Sui scenario.

Chaudhry Shujat along with Mushahid called on Akbar Bugti at Dera Bugti and discussed with him the measures to be taken to ease tension prevailing in Dera Bugti and Sui areas since March-17 armed clash between the FC personnel and the tribesmen.

Shujat and Bugti continued to claim that positive developments took place in their meeting but refused to disclose details to resolve the issue within shortest possible time through the political dialogue.

Bugti assigned his party man Sher Ali Mazari to represent the JWP whereas Brig. Muhammad Saleem would represent the FC in the three-member committee to be headed by Mushahid Hussain Sayed to take measures.

Mazari and Brig. Saleem would monitor the happenings in Dera Bugti, Sui and surrounding areas in order to cool down the situation, and submit their report on daily basis to the committee head under the undisclosed agreement reached between the two sides, Shujat-Bugti meeting.

The First Step

Credible sources say that withdrawal of FC and Bugti tribe’s armed persons from Dera Bugti areas to their previous positions would be the first step to resolve the issue and then hold negotiations on other issue.

As result of the first Shujat-Bugti meeting, the FC and tribesmen withdrew their strength around Dera Bugti however; there is still deployment from both sides.

Shujat and Mushahid are expected to brief the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here today (Tuesday) about their discussions with Akbar Bugti.

Nawab Akbar Bugti

Meanwhile, Nawab Akbar Bugti told a group of newsmen by telephone that the committee, which was constituted in the last meeting was given a final shape.

The committee would monitor the whole process and review implementation of the decisions, he added.

Tension still prevails in Dera Bugti and no decision has so far been taken on vacating the pickets, he said and added that Shujat requested him not to disclose any thing till final decision.

Bugti further said that both the PML leaders would tell about their next meeting with them after consultations in Islamabad.

The JWP chief said that General Musharraf’s statements could affect the ongoing talks’ process. ●