PM Raja renews dialogue offer to disgruntled Baloch leaders

QUETTA: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday offered an olive branch to the disgruntled Baloch leaders to hold dialogue with the government for an amicable solution of the Balochistan issue.

Addressing the provincial cabinet meeting here at the Chief Minister Secretariat, the prime minister said the use of force was not the right way to handle any problem.

"Only dialogue and constructive talks can steer the province out of prevailing crisis," he added.

However, he categorically rejected to hold dialogue with those, who talk against the country's sovereignty.

"We have to identify forces, who are supporting the handful elements to create lawlessness in Balochistan," he observed.

The PM said that there were some external and internal forces involved in creating unrest in the province and they could only be defeated with combined efforts and political wisdom.

He said that prevailing law and order situation was the result of unwise and anti-Baloch policies of dictators, bringing the province on the verge of destruction.

"Balochistan is on the priority list of the government," he said while reiterating the government's pledge to remove the decades-long grievances of the people of the largest province of the country.

Referring to the initiation of mega projects by the Federal Government in Balochistan, Ashraf said that PPP-led government had been taking serious interest in the development of the province since it came into power.

The provincial ministers pointed out that the projects of Reko Diq, Kacchi Canal, Gwadar-Rato Dero road and Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan transmission line needed to be completed on priority. The premier assured early completion of the development projects.

The issue of shortage of drinking water was also raised. On this the Prime Minister said that the completion of Mirani Dam would provide 200 million gallon additional drinking water for the people.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said that he would also get an update on the steps being taken by the Pakistan Navy to meet the needs of drinking water for the people of Gwadar and Ormara.

He said Balochistan was enriched with natural resources and it was now constitutionally empowered to get benefit from its mines and minerals.

"The local people should be the beneficiary of the Reko Diq, copper and other mineral projects launched in Balochistan," he added.

On law and order situation, he said the government was committed to resolve the Balochistan issue and added that anti-peace elements would not succeed in their nefarious designs and they would be dealt with an iron hand.

Stressing the need for the role of political parties for strengthening of democracy in the country, he urged them to fight against the issues being faced by the common man.

Law and order is a provincial subject and the Federal Government will fully assist the provincial government in this regard, he said, adding that the Frontier Corp could not work against the wishes of the Balochistan Chief Minister.

Prime Minister Ashraf said that his government believed that a prosperous Balochistan would lead to a prosperous Pakistan and the province was rich in gold, copper, gas and oil.

He stressed the need for ensuring law and order so that development works progress at a fast pace and the people of Balochistan reap the benefits.

PM Raja said there were certain elements that were trying to cause hurdles in the way of progress of the province. He said the people of Pakistan needed to stand united and foil the attempts of those who were trying to sow the seeds of hatred.

He said there was a need to bring the alienated, back to the mainstream.

He attributed these ills to the doings of the dictators and said the political leadership was now tackling the matters in a prudent manner and taking the things towards betterment.

He recalled the apology by President Asif Ali Zardari to the Balochs and called for initiating a "new dawn" to bring peace, stability and prosperity to the province.

The prime minister said it was vital that all those who care for the people of Balochistan, should work in unison for its development.

He said that he knew well the Baloch nation and they were very nationalistic, patriotic and believed in non-violence.

He mentioned the landmark achievements of the PPP-led coalition government, and added that the government did not have enough funds for purchasing wheat when it took over, but now the country was exporting wheat.

Giving an overall view, he said that Pakistan is facing multiple challenges at different fronts. "The power of the public and sincerity of the government will help continue the process of prosperity.

"It is my message to all who have affection for the country to come under the flag of Pakistan and play their role for the welfare of the country," he said. "We have a gift of love to win the hearts of the people".

Earlier, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani and the cabinet members felicitated Raja Pervez Ashraf for assuming the office of country's chief executive.

The provincial Chief Secretary gave a detailed briefing to the cabinet.

The prime minister also condemned the blast at a rally earlier in the day and said it was sending a wrong message to the world about the law and order situation in the country.

The PM said the killing of innocent people was a brutal act and the law enforcement agencies need not be demoralized.