| GEO Pakistan | | Baloch MNAs call on Prime Minister | Updated at: 1820 PST, Wednesday, June 24, 2009
 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said the present government has the political will and commitment to redress the concerns of Balochistan and added that a comprehensive strategy was being adopted to resolve these issues on permanent basis.
Talking to a delegation of MNAs from Balochistan at his Parliament House Chamber, the Prime Minister said the government accords high priority to the development of Balochistan.
He said every effort would be made to bring about positive change in the lives of Baloch people and bring the province at par with other parts of the country.
He said the federal government has already allocated enhanced funds for Balochistan for the current fiscal year.
The government increased the PSDP from Rs 42 billion to Rs 50 billion and accorded approval for the unspent PSDP of Rs 21 billion of the last year to be utilized in the current year, he said.
In addition, the government has allocated additional funds amounting to Rs 9 billion as a special incentive package for Quetta, development schemes of Balochistan as well as for budgetary support.
The Prime Minister said a meeting on NFC Award will soon be convened to address longstanding demands of the federating units.
He said that concerns of Balochistan would be taken into consideration in the meeting and assured to protect the rights of the people of Balochistan.
The Prime Minister said consultative process is already in progress for resolving the various issues of Balochistan and an APC in this regard would be convened soon. He assured the delegation that in the APC, all stakeholders will be taken on board to evolve a national democratic approach.
Addressing the concern over law and order situation in the country, the Prime Minister assured the delegation that appropriate measures will be taken to improve the situation.
The Prime Minister informed the delegation that as required under the Constitution, a meeting of Council of Common Interest (CCI) would also be convened soon.
He said that various issues relating to Balochistan including the provincial autonomy will be taken up at this forum as well.
Commending the Prime Minister initiatives for redressing the grievance of Balochistan, the delegation expressed the confidence that the Prime Minister would be able to resolve the long‑standing demands of Balochistan.
The delegation members included Syed Nasir Ali Shah, MNA (PPPP), Sardar Al‑Haj Mohammad Umar Gorgage, MNA (PPPP), Molvi Agha Muhammad, MNA (MMAP), Haji Roz ud Din, MNA (MMAP), Sardar Muhammad Israr Tareen, MNA (PML), Maulvi Asmatullah, MNA (Ind), Mir Ahmadan Khan Bugti, MNA (PML), Mir Changez Khan Jamali, MNA (PPPP), Mir Mohammad Usman Advocate, MNA (Ind), Dr Zil‑e‑Huma, MNA (PPPP) and Ms Asiya Nasir, MNA (MMAP). |  |
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