QUETTA - Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that he had no evidence of Indian involvement in Balochistan. However, he added that the federal government and federal agencies have such evidence.
He said that the law and order situation had improved in Quetta, therefore 50 per cent of checkposts set by Frontier Corps (FC) had been removed.
The chief minister expressed these views while talking to media persons after provincial ministers, tribal elders and people hailing from various walks of life called on him on Eid day at the CM Secretariat. Responding to a question regarding talks with the Baloch resistance groups, the chief minister said that so far he had made no contact with them. However, he desired to bring the Baloch resistance groups to the negotiating table. “We want to solve the issues through dialogue because the 21st century is the century of democracy; all issues can be resolved democratically and force is not a solution,” he added.
However, he said that it was incorrect to assume that dialogue could not be held with those who did not abide by the constitution. “Soon an All Parties’ Conference would be called on Balochistan’s issue and after thorough consultation with all political parties, tribal leaders and members of civil society, a strategy would be evolved and later talks will be initiated with the Baloch resistance groups and the people having religious thoughts,” the chief minister added.
When his attention was drawn towards Indian involvement in Balochistan, he said he had no evidence of Indian involvement in Balochistan’s deteriorating law and order. However, the federal government and its agencies said they had such evidence.
Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said protecting life and property of masses in Quetta and other part of the province was the first priority of his government, and all resources were being utilised in this regard.
He said that after improvement of law and order in Quetta, 50 per cent FC checkposts were removed. However, some checkposts in some sensitive areas of the city would not be removed for security reasons.
“After equipping Balochistan Constabulary, police and Levies Force with modern equipment and better facilities, they would be able to play their role in a better way to maintain peace,” he remarked.
He said that the process of inducting new members in the provincial cabinet had been completed amicably which would help solve the issues of the province, address the backwardness and materialise the dream of stability, development and prosperity.
Referring to earthquake affectees of Awaran district, the chief minister said the government stood by the affectees and shared their grief.
He reiterated the resolve that till rehabilitation of the last affectee, the government would not sit with calm, and would utilise all resources in this connection.
He also thanked Federal, Punjab and Sindh governments for helping earthquake affectees, adding that previously the calamity-hit people of Balochistan were not rehabilitated properly and the relief goods were used to disappear on the way.
He said that this time such a mechanism had been devised that all trucks could reach their destination and relief goods distributed amongst the deserving people. He said that the provincial government had sent 800 trucks of relief goods to the affected areas. He said that they were facing some difficulties due to the broken infrastructure and security concerns.