Naela Quadri in no hurry to set up Baloch ''government in exile''

Kannur (Kerala): As part of drumming up support for setting up a `government in exile`, Baloch International Women`s Forum leader Naela Quadri Baloch has said they were in no hurry for it.

Baloch, who arrived here on Tuesday night as part of her effort at garnering support across the country, will speak on Wednesday at a public meeting in Thalassery near here.

The meeting is being organised under the aegis of `Brennen Vibrant`, an organisation of the old activists of the RSS`s students wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad at Brennen College in Thalassery.

"Our goal is to set up a government in exile and we are in no hurry for that. We all know that it`s a long way ahead and we are now laying the foundation for it," she said.

"What has come as a joy for us is that the people of Varanasi have extended their support to us and we wish to set it up there. We are also seeking the support of the Indian government for it," said Baloch.

Baloch has been travelling across India and by now she has already addressed meetings in Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Chandigarh and Bengluru.

"I should say that at all these places the response was overwhelming, especially from the youths. What we are basically doing now is to garner support for our movement. As Balochis, we are now also connecting to our people who are settled across the world. In all we are about 40 million," she said.

Several Baloch leaders from Pakistan and from other countries have begun visiting New Delhi since Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on August 15 highlighted the Baloch issue.

Balochistan, Pakistan`s largest province in terms of area, has witnessed a long-running insurgency for which Islamabad blames New Delhi.

Baloch, however, downplayed some reactions from her own people about her own role.

"I do not claim to be the leader. Our aim is to work together and at the moment we should not be wasting time on such things," she said.