South Korea imposes travel ban on parts of Pakistan

Seoul, Aug 31 (IANS) The South Korean foreign ministry on Monday imposed a Level 4 travel ban on parts of Pakistan amid a surge in violence linked to coordinated separatist attacks.

The ban — the highest of the country’s four-tier travel warning system — will take effect at 11 pm in the southwestern province of Balochistan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Parts of the province are also subject to a travel ban imposed by the Pakistani government, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Under the law, those who visit or stay in areas under the highest-level travel ban without special permission can be punished.

The ministry urged those planning to visit the region to cancel their trips and those residing there to evacuate.

Last week, Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) chief Allah Nazar Baloch made it clear once again that BLF’s sole objective remains the formation of a sovereign and independent Balochistan – the only “acceptable’ solution.

Allah Nazar Baloch described Pakistan’s constitution as a “dead horse” which was unable to protect itself from the military, judiciary, parliament and executive, The Balochistan Post reported, citing the BLF chief’s exclusive interview with an Indian daily.

Asked if talks with Pakistan were possible if it offered political autonomy, a greater share of resource revenues, an end to enforced disappearances and internationally supervised guarantees, the BLF chief said that negotiations were possible on only one condition: that it would take place in the presence of international powers. He mentioned that they would provide a safe way for the Pakistani army to leave Balochistan.

“The Baloch do not accept any concessions. The objective of the Baloch nation is a sovereign and independent Balochistan. Now independence is the only acceptable solution,” he said.

BLF chief accused the Pakistani military of using warplanes against the people of Balochistan and mentioned bombing incidents in Gidar, Surab, Mehi, Mashkay and Wahli. He stated that these incidents were not being reported due to restrictions on independent media.

–IANS

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