Will never seek India's help: Baloch leader

Islamabad: Baloch separatist leader Hyrbyair Marri has said the Balochis don't favour seeking help from India to gain freedom from Pakistan.

A report on the BBC Urdu website quoted Marri as saying that he was fighting for an "independent Balochistan". He added: "I don't think the majority of Baloch people want to live with Pakistan."

However, neither he nor his associates had any affiliation with the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militant group, reported the Dawn.

Marri said he was not seeking assistance from India for his independence movement. "I have never sought help from them, nor will I in the future."

He also rejected reports that he travelled to India to start the Free Balochistan Movement.

Hyrbyair Marri - who has been living in self-exile in London since 2000 - is alleged to be leading the banned BLA, the report said.

A published report in India quoted a representative of the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Organisation (BLO), Balaach Pardili, as saying that he was hoping to "facilitate Nawabzada (Hyrbyair) Marri's visit to Delhi in near future".