GUJRANWALA: Leader of PML-Q, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that India and Afghanistan are involved in the unrest in Balochistan. Talking to media men here on Sunday, he said the government needs to call All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss situation in Balochistan. Pervez Elahi said Sufi Muhammad should have to take all the religious scholars on board.
About Punjab government, he said Punjab government had no vision and Sharif brothers were standing on that position which was 9 years ago. He said doctors, farmers, teachers and students are protesting on roads due their wrong policies. He alleged that the government neither buy wheat from the farmers nor provide them empty sacs but only facilitate their own people. NNI
ISLAMABAD: PML-N has decided that it will convene All Parties Conference to resolve the chronic issues of Balochsitan. On the advice of PML-N Quaid, the first meeting of special follow-up committee was held under the chairmanship of former Sindh Governor Mamnoon Hussain at Punjab House on Saturday.
It was attended by Ahsan Iqbal, Sardar Yaqub Nasir and Asam. The meeting reviewed the recommendations of the fact finding committee. The follow up committee will contact with all political, regional and social parties to finalize the proposal.
It decided that PML-N will hold All Parties Conference in the light of suggestions of all school of thoughts.
Final report will be submitted to PML-N Quaid to adopt a categorical policy on the issues of Balochistan. NNI
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the Federal government will allocate more funds for revamping law and order system in Balochistan by strengthening its law enforcement agencies and building their capacity. The salary package for the provincial police will be enhanced and bring it at par with the Punjab police, he said.
He was speaking to a delegation of Zamindar Action Committee in the presence of Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisiani. The delegation presented their demands to the Prime Minister.The Prime Minister said that extra incentives will be given to a special group of Federal government officers that is being formed and would be sent on special assignments to the province.
The Prime Minister assured the delegation that in order to alleviate the sense of deprivation his government will take solid steps to improve the economic situation of the province. The share of funds for Balochistan will be increased and more funds will be made available for the construction of dams and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.
The development package for Balochistan would envision better health and education services and provision of clean drinking water, he added. The Prime Minister acceded to the request of the delegation for restoring 1747 permanently disconnected tube-wells the cost of which will be borne by the Federal government.
The Prime Minister further assured the delegation that the energy needs of the province will be addressed on priority basis. The Prime Minister formed a committee headed by the Adviser on Finance for sympathetic assessment of agriculture loan of Rs. 6 billion borrowed by 10,000 small farmers of Balochistan.
The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for his help and support in meeting their requirements.The meeting was inter-alia attended by Balochistan Minister for Finance Mr. Muhammad Asim Kurd, Minister for Revenue Engr. Zamrak Khan, Minister for PHED Maulana Abdul Bari, Minister for Food Haji Ali Madad Jattak and Minister for Information Mr. M. Younus Mullazai.-APP
The talk in the town these days is all about the in camera briefing to the senators about the current situation in Baluchistan and FATA. After the briefing most of the senators were quiet reserve with their thoughts but a few of them were bold enough to talk to the media and face their questions and speak their mind out on what they thought about the situation.
All the fingers though were pointing out to the present government’s attitude and performance but none of them seemed to have realized that after all it is the beauty of the democracy that they are speaking against the government and criticizing them on an issue that the PPP’s present government has inherited from the past Dictatorial Rule of Musharraf Regime. For eight years the parliament was being surpassed and the public representatives were not consulted on the most happening issues of the nation; but today the present government at least seem to believe in the supremacy and power of parliament and believe in the democratic values and customs and taking everyone in the parliament lodges in to the confidence before any initiative is taken is just a sign of their commitment to the word Democracy is the Best Revenge.
While talking to the news and media, senators looked like having a lot to say and criticise government’s policies but the alternate solution wasn’t given by anyone. Neither did they suggest anything nor did they completely rule out the possibilities of the concerns shown by Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior; Rehman Malik. At a really crunch time like today, when the talk in the town is all about Islamabad falling in the hands of Taliban Extremists, instead of coming together and working jointly, the public representatives are just following the one way lane of the road and that is opposition of the government.
Today is really not the time to point out and grab the collars of each other; instead it’s a time to come together over coming all the conflicts and differences between ourselves. After all our existence our identity and our worth lies in our proud that is Being Pakistani. Even I do not agree with the government on all the fronts in the public administration section but the one thing I admire about them is their commitment an their will at least to call for a national consciences and national government instead of nation splitting on the basis of parties.
The eyes of the world are on Pakistan again, the focus of the world politics is Pakistan again and the target of the foreign lobbies is again Pakistan. Please put back your differences, the nation has given you the mandate. Respect it, fulfill your commitments and don’t let the hopes of the people die as this may very well be the last time, unless you perform dramatically unlike yourselves.
God Bless Pakistan
Pakistan Zindaabad.
(No Hard Words No Harsh Feelings for No one at All.)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday dismissed reports about Russia’s involvement in Balochistan as misleading saying the country attaches great importance to its ties with the Federation. A clarification from the Foreign Office said that during a briefing to the Senate by Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior“reference to the Soviet Union was made in a historical context.”“The media coverage on the subject was misleading,” a statement quoting the Foreign Office spokesman said and added that it has also been conveyed to the Russian Federation through diplomatic channels.
The Foreign Office Spokesman said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the Russian Federation which was playing an important role for peace, security and stability at the international and regional planes.
The Spokesman said Pakistan and Russia were in the process of strengthening their multifaceted cooperation and in this context referred to Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s recent visit to Moscow to participate in a Special Conference under the SCO. The two countries are engaged building a comprehensive partnership. These relations will continue to grow in the times to come, the spokesman said.-APP
QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani on Thursday said the proposed Balochistan Local Government Act 2009 (BLGA-2009) would soon been presented for approval of the provincial cabinet after which it would be get approved by the federal government. Presiding over a consultation meeting of coalition partners in the provincial government on BLGA-2009 here, he said the coalition partners have complete consensus over replacing Local Government Ordinance 2001 by BLGA-2009 and the parliamentary leaders of coalition parties in the provincial assembly have already completed their mutual consultation in this regard.
He said the principal reason behind putting back to the LGO-2001 is to remove impediments in maintaining law and order. Besides, it has several ambiguities regarding distribution of powers between the provincial and district governments which created dual-government system aggravating the problems of the people instead of their early resolution.
He, however, said the proposed BLGA-2009 is being evolved with sole objective to resolve the citizens issues as proper attention is being paid to the point that there emerge no ambiguity regarding distribution of powers between the provincial and district governments in future.
Earlier, the Provincial Secretary Local Government briefed the meeting that under the BLGA-2009 disparity between rural and urban municipal departments would be abolished besides constituting rural union councils and political parties would be allowed to participate in their elections.
However, participants of the meeting opposed the suggestion and stressed the need for non-partisan elections for local councils. The Chief Minister also supported the objection. The proposed Act-2009 would also allow establishment of Provincial Local Councils Authority abolishing the Local Government Ordinance.
He said women representation would be 33% and local governments would be comprised of Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation headed by the Chairman, while the provincial government would be empowered to dissolve these governments under BLGA-2009. The meeting decided that the proposed Act would be enforced immediately after approval of the federal government. Once it comes into force, LGO-2001 would be abolished.-APP
ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman A. Malik Wednesday informed the Upper House of the Parliament that India is backing the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) for fuelling insurgency in the province and creating unrest.
“BLA was raised and funded by Russia during Soviet-Afghan war when Pakistan was supporting Afghanis and now India is backing its activities,”
he said, winding up debate on an adjournment motion, to discuss the Balochistan situation emerging out of recent killing of three Baloch leaders in Turbat.
“BLA remained dormant since the Afghan war ended but it was reactivated after killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, whose grandson Barhamdagh Bugti has openly sought Indian and American support for independence of Balochistan in a recent interview,”
He said that Indian consulate in Iranian city, bordering Balochistan, was also involved in activities other than visa granting to people. The BLA Chief Barhamdagh Bugti, in his recent interview to a Pakistani channel has openly sought Indian support for independence of Balochistan, he added. “Barhamdagh Bugti is residing in Kabul just five kilometer away from President Karzai’s palace and Pakistan has continuously been asking the Afghan government for access to Barhamdagh,” he said.
However, he said, the Afghan Government has been denying Bugti’s presence in Afghanistan, though Pakistan repeatedly raised it with Afghanistan that their soil was being used against Pakistan. Rehman Malik said the law and order situation in Balochistan is a very serious issue and the government is engaged in sincere efforts to defuse the tension. “We have taken all the Parliament members onboard and assure to implement recommendations of the Parliament in true spirit.”
“There is a realization, on every part, that something should be done to redress the problems; to address the concerns and satisfy our Baloch brethren,” the advisor said. He said that the grievances of Balochs as well as Pakhtoons need to be identified and discussed to reach to a concrete solution. “Therefore, I want to sincerely brief the house on the facts on ground as we do not want to hide anything and want to clear the doubts, which people have in their minds,” Malik said.
Pakistan Peoples Party’s government, he said, from the very first day, has made efforts for redressing concerns of Balochs and undertake development projects in the province.“All cases against Mengals and Harbyar Marri were withdrawn in a bid to provide relief. Similarly, the negotiations with Bugti tribe were also held and I am in close contact with every son of Nawab Akbar Bugti,” Malik informed the House.
Earlier, he elaborated details of his meetings with Baloch Nationalist Leaders including former Chief Minister Akhtar Mengal in Balochistan and Harbayar Khan in London respectively. Malik said the government had also extended legal support to Harbyar Khan Marri for defence of case registered by the British government in London.
Meanwhile; he said, the demands of Balochs for share in the resources is genuine and the government; including President Asif Ali Zardari has agreed to take all steps according to aspirations of Balochistan people.
Similarly; another major demand for removal of 36 Frontier Constabulary (FC) checkposts, from different parts of the province was also fulfilled. “In addition, the federal government has directed FC to work under supervision of Police,” said the advisor. Besides President Zardari, the Prime Minister was personally interested in redressing concerns of Baloch people and he daily seeks update over the issue.
PM Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved Rs 70.5 billion loan grant for Balochistan on recommendations of the provincial chief minister, he added. “Recent visit of President Asif Zardari to province was landmark as he announced Rs. 46 billion development package for the province,” Malik said. The package announced by President Asif Ali Zardari was widely welcomed across the Balochistan.
The government was following three-pronged policy of Dialogue, Development and Deterrence and all maximum possible steps were ensured peace and stability, said the advisor. Rehman Malik said that there was no military operation in Balochistan since PPP took over reins of the country after February 18 general polls last year.
“I can say with authority and I am saying, neither there is military operation in Balochistan nor it would be launched,” repeated the advisor.
He said that Rs.7 billion were allocated for conversion of A areas into B areas and Rs. 5.1 billion have been spent for the purpose. However, the locals were demanding for restoration of Sardari system in the areas, he added.
Rehman Malik said all political prisoners except 36 were released. The cases of those 36 are under scrutiny at a special committee, as they are alleged to be involved in murder crimes.
Subsequently, employment, rehabilitation of displaced people and allocation of National Finance Commission (NFC) award were under consideration for Balochistan, he added. The martyrdom of former governor and chief minister Nawab Akbar Bugti aggravated the situation and created enormous problems for the country. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was reactivated by enemies of Pakistan in the mean time, he said.
BLA consists of 1,000 Baloch students, trained in Russia and spread in various parts of the province. They are demanding for independence of Balochistan, said the advisor. BLA chief Barhamdagh Bugti is present in Afghan capital Kabul just at distance of five miles from President Hamid Karzai’s palace but Afghan government was denying the fact despite proofs, Malik disclosed.
Barhamdagh, in his recent interview to a Pakistani TV channel, has sought Indian, American and UNO support for independence of Balochistan. “BLA chief denies provincial autonomy and 1973 constitution. He is pressing for complete freedom,” said Malik, adding, “had our ancestors achieved Pakistan for this purpose….No…None patriotic Pakistani can support such demand.”
Regarding missing persons, Malik informed that figure presented by various sources was inconsistent when the PPP government. “However; 6, 000 men and 140 women were reported missing on occasion of UN representative John Solecki’s abduction,” he said.
Meanwhile, the final figure of people missing from across the country is 831 including 270 from Balochistan. “220 people from missing 270 of Balochitsan, 20 out of 50 in Punjab and 45 out of 55 in Sindh, were traced; respectively,” he said, adding that 36 people were missing in NWFP out of which 23 have been recovered. Malik said that adduction of John Solecki, on the occasion when UN Secretary General was scheduled to arrive, harmed reputation of Pakistan globally.
He said that the abductors of Solecki had links with people in Afghanistan as telephone call from Kabul was traced. He said that the seven number used for calling were traced and the information was shared with President Karazi by Pakistan but he denied it as true. Later, Secretary General UNO appealed Karzai for efforts to release Solecki.
Malik said that Pakistan has repeatedly asked Afghanistan to stop supporting Barhamdagh and asked to hand over him to Islamabad under security for negotiations. “We conveyed through ministry of foreign affairs that we want to talk to Barhamdagh and know his grievances,” he added.
He said that India is enemy of Pakistan and involved in creating unrest in Balochistan. The government and people of Pakistan could not close the eyes from the reality. “None true Pakistani could support the independence of Balochistan and see repetition of incident like fall of Dhaka. Every Pakistani is ready to devote life for the homeland,” he maintained.
He said that killing of three Baloch people took place soon after visit of President Asif Ali Zardari and announcement of development package for the province. “At the time when Baloch people were praising package of President Zardari, the killing of political workers was grave conspiracy against Pakistan,” said Malik.
Condemning the killings, he informed the Upper House that a high-powered committee, headed by IGP Balochistan, was probing into the matter. “Three intelligence agencies are assisting the committee and those involved in the heinous act would be taken to task,” he added.
The advisor said the ministry of interior welcomed the guidelines of parliamentarians and he was ready to give the investigation committee under supervision of Senate; if they had reservations. He said that the killings were a big conspiracy as 14 settlers were killed, four bomb killings and three bomb blasts took place during the law and order situation created in wake of the incident.
He said people of Balochistan are peaceful and they could not carry bombs in their pockets, thus those involved were miscreants.
Malik requested the Baloch parliamentarians for cooperation to redress the problems and vowed that the government was ready for negotiations at all forums. He gave undertaking on behalf of the government for implementation of Senate committees’ and individual members recommendations regarding Balochistan too.
Meanwhile, the advisor disclosed that two of the murdered political workers Ghulam Muhammad and Sher Muhammad were Iranian nationalists. “Ghulam Muhammad was involved in terror activities in Iran and his name was third on the list for extradition of terrorists, sent by Tehran on March 16, 2009,” Malik said. Similarly, Sher Muhammad migrated from Charbihar area of Iran and got Pakistani nationality, he added.
Meanwhile, some Senate members including Raja Zafar-ul-Haq advised for in-camera briefing instead of disclosing confidential information as, they argued, it could create problems for sovereignty of the country. Later, the Chairman gave ruling for in-camera briefing to all members of the Upper House, which is scheduled tomorrow.-APP
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the government can “revisit” its decision on Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in Swat, if peace was not restored in the area. “If peace is not restored, one can rethink the idea,” the Prime Minister told mediapersons when asked about the government’s future strategy in view of the recently promulgated Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in Swat.
Prime Minister Gilani however, said that he was hopeful about the restoration of peace in the area. He termed the government’s agreement on Nizam-e-Adl as a “willful decision” taken in national interest. He said the step respects the mandate of provincial government, which was seconded by the parliament through a unanimous resolution.
When asked to comment on statements by Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat’s leader terming country’s superior courts as “un-Islamic”, the Prime Minister said, “Sufi Muhammad’s views are of an individual,” adding he would not comment on it. “There is a problem of terrorism and this menace can only be contained by all the political forces of the country who should join hands to confront it,” Gilani said.
Gilani said the government was studying the report prepared by the parliament’s committee on national security and would evolve a national policy after consultation with the four chief minister. “It will be a home?made policy keeping the national interests supreme,” he said.
He said President Zardari would be holding talks with the American leadership on these lines when he visits the United States. About Balochistan, Gilani urged the nation not to lose hope as the government was cognizant of the situation and the province, and doing all to end their sense of deprivation.
He said all institutions very functioning and in accordance with the law and the Constitution. “We need to empower the people of Balochistan. We will provide them rights and full share in development,” he said.
Regarding the murder of three Baloch leaders, the Prime Minister said the government was awaiting report of the judicial commission. About his visit to the housing ministry, Gilani said government would provide low?cost housing for the poor, lower-middle class and federal government employees all over the country including Northern Areas and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He said under the Benazir Income Support Programme, the government would provide health, education and subsidized food. Earlier, the Prime Minister was given briefing at the Ministry about the ongoing and upcoming development projects.-APP
ROJHAN JAMALI: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday declared three areas of Balochistan; Jaffarabad, Naseerabad and Jhal Magsi as calamity?hit and reiterated the government’s commitment to provide relief to the affected people. Addressing a gathering of area elders after arriving here to condole the death of veteran PPP leader Mir Taj Muhammad Jamali, the Prime Minister announced Rs 500 million for the reconstruction of roads in these areas.
The Prime Minister directed the Balochistan Chief Minister to bring the matter of affected people’s plight before the cabinet and take effective steps for the urgent redressal of their sufferings and distribution of honorarium. He said the government would provide agricultural land to the landless farmers, while the issue of water?cess would also be taken up by the provincial government to bring it at par with Sindh.
Gilani announced party ticket for Changez Khan Jamali, son of late Taj Jamali for the National Assembly by?elecections. He urged the political forces to support Changez Jamali, so that he may work for the welfare of people in continuation of his father’s tradition.
Commerce Minister Amin Fahim and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan were also present on the occasion. Earlier, the Prime Minister visited Kashmir Kot to condole the death of MNA Mir Taj Muhammad Jamali with his son Mir Chenghez Khan Jamali and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Jamali.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Aslam Raisani, Governor Balochistan, Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi, provincial ministers and senior officials received the Prime Minister.-APP
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that the situation in Balochistan is a matter of great concern and the discussion subject in the parliament would help guide the government. He said while speaking in the senate.
“A situation in the province has been created to destabilize the country. It is a conspiracy and an attempt to destroy the national assets”
He said that the parliament was the only forum where the honourable members could debate all important national issues. “The members of the Senate and the National Assembly are the representatives of the people and they can discuss all national issues in the parliament,” he said.“Balochistan is an extremely important province and every kind of stability there is in the interest of the entire country,” he said.
He said that the government had sent a special envoy to Balochistan for ascertaining the real situation there. Yusuf Raza Gilani said a meeting of the Defence Committee would be called to discuss the measures for improving situation in the province. While the guidance will also be sought from the committee on National Security in this regard.
The Prime Minister said that the government wanted to move forward by giving equal status to all the four provinces. No Pakistani can see the country confronted with problems and its boundaries insecure, he said.
The Prime Minister said that no Pakistani wanted to destabilize the country. He said that all the members of the House were patriotic and asked them to support the government in its efforts for improving the situation in Balochistan. He said
“It is our collective responsibility to safeguard the country. But any irresponsible attitude at this time will be dangerous,”
