Foreign hand in Balochistan unrest: PM
July 17, 2012
He was addressing participants of the workshop on Balochistan situation "Perception and Realities - the Way Forward" at the National Defence University in Islamabad on Tuesday.
PM Ashraf appealed to disgruntled Baloch youth not to play into the hands of the enemy, urging them to hold talks with the government.
The prime minister said that talks will not be held with individuals who violate national integrity and sovereignty, adding that the biggest problem in Balochistan was law and order.
"If the unrest in some areas of Balochistan is not dealt with, it may have adverse effects on other areas," Ashraf said.
The prime minister was also critical of the foreign press and called their reporting an exaggeration of actual events in Balochistan.
PPI adds: The prime minister said all our friends interested to bring about peace in this region are expected to respect the sovereignty of Pakistan and the aspirations of more than 95% people of Balochistan, who are as patriotic Pakistanis as in any other part of the country.
He urged the few angry youngsters involved in negative activities within the country as well as abroad, that they should not fall prey to the intrigues of the detractors of Pakistan. He urged them to come back and talk to the own Government, and they will not be disappointed.
He reiterated the government's stance that it will do everything to restore peace and security in the province. He said we would not talk to those who are against Pakistan's sovereignty and Pakistani flag, and God willing, we will never allow the enemies of Pakistan to succeed in their nefarious designs.
The state and people of Pakistan are capable to solve their problems and they would assert their sovereign right and independence in dealing with their domestic problems.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said we do recognize the sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan and the need for rapid development of this province.
However, the situation of Balochistan should be seen in its true perspective dispassionately and in a cool-headed manner. He said that the people of Balochistan are as much peaceful and patriotic as the people of other provinces are.
But still, the situation in Balochistan is far from being simple because of internal and external linkages. There is not one but in fact many fronts on which we need to fight for the cause of the people of Balochistan.
The PM said the people of Balochistan particularly the poor have not tasted the fruits of independence and development as yet. The real issue of the province is the socio-economic deprivation of the common people.
The benefits of whatever developmental programmes and projects were undertaken in the past in Balochistan, did not trickle down to the common people. Another aspect is the menace of sectarianism and religious extremism that the people of Pakistan in general and the people of Balochistan in particular are victim of.
He said our universities, think tanks, intellectuals and media have to play a constructive role to promote tolerance and harmony in the society.
He said sectarian killings, must be seen in the context of geo-strategic linkages to the Balochistan issue. Under the garb of sectarian cover, non-state actors and foreign-sponsored groups are fueling the fire that warrants vigilance at various tiers both at the governmental as well as at the societal levels.
The prime minister appreciated the role of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps in promoting and protecting national interests in Balochistan.
He said the progress made in communication infrastructure over the past one decade including the construction of Gwadar Port is praiseworthy. But it is just one leap forward.
It does not mean that everything has been put right. There is need to focus on social sector including education and healthcare wherein this Province lags behind because of vastness of the area and lack of resources vis-à-vis demand.
He said that Balochistan tops the agenda of the present government and we will do everything possible to eliminate the sense of deprivation among our Baloch brothers and sisters.
He assured the people of Balochistan that the government will continue to reach out to them and would go an extra mile to alleviate their sufferings. He said completion of Ratto-Daro Link Road will unleash the real benefit of Gwadar Port for the people of the area. Katchi Canal project will help transform agriculture and will go a long way to alleviate poverty in rural areas.
