President urges Baloch leaders to shun violence

QUETTA President Asif Ali Zardari while urging the disgruntled Baloch leaders to shun violence for acquisition of their rights has said that present government had recognised their rights and taking all steps for solution of their problems. 'The bright future of Pakistan is linked with a prosperous Balochistan and with the passage of time all problems will be settled amicably, he added. He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony in connection with Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) at Governors House here on Thursday. Zardari said that PPP sought apology from the people of Balochistan and government had accepted all their demands. He urged Baloch youth not to hold guns for securing their rights as we will first work for the development of Balochistan and then hold talks with angry Baloch leaders. He said government would take every step to address the grievances of Baloch people, and ,added, that Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan Package was approved as part of this commitment. He further said that a prosperous Balochistan was guarantee for future of a strong Pakistan and said one day Balochistan would become center to attract world in terms of development and it would yield fruits to the country. 'I love Balochistan as much as I loved Ghari Khuda Bakhsh or any other part of the country, he said and ,added, that our forefathers had come from Balochistan and settled in other parts of Balochistan. 'I consider Balochistan my second home, the President added. He said that there was no cut on the development funds for Balochistan despite severe financial constraints because the govt intended to bring an end to the years of deprivation of Balochistan. The President said that more projects of National Highway Authority would be initiated to enhance connectivity in the province and Gwadar would be developed to attract global investors. He said that the government would develop Balochistan by utilising modern means of agriculture which would boost agricultural sector and yield income of the peasants and growers. 'Dams in the province are being constructed on modern lines and the progress will be monitored through satellites, he added. Referring to the sacrifices of the PPP, the President said PPP had undergone difficult times and learnt lessons. He said that country was facing many problems including internal strife and even the party itself was a victim and suffered as its leader was assassinated in an act of terror, while thousands of its workers had laid down their lives. The President said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto preferred to face jail, and did not take revenge from anybody. He said it was the vision and thought of the PPP that he wanted to share with the people of Balochistan. He said that we wanted to probe into the killing of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto through United Nations Commission so that this tragedy could be documented to the world. He said still Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto lives in the peoples hearts as he got a greater stature and an eternal life, but nobody remember those who hanged him. 'Our mission will complete when our country will be amongst those who are developed nations, he added. The President said that he considers Justice (Retd) Nasim Hasan Shah as the murderer of former Prime Minister and PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He said that they had got success in Swat and Waziristan but it was not enough. 'Army has given many sacrifices for eradication of terrorism from the country he said and ,adding, PPP want to steer Pakistan out of all crisis. Earlier, President performed the fifth draw of the Waseela-e-Haq Programme, under which the successful families get Rs 300,000 loan to help them start or augment their existing business. The families were selected through a computer draw, out of 2.24 million families registered under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). He distributed cheques amongst women hailing from different parts of the province. He also handed over compensation cheques amongst the women whose close relatives were killed or injured in acts of terror and earthquake. President during his one day visit to Quetta inaugurated three development projects including 100 kilometers long Highway Tholoni Saifullah Fort, a 132 Kilowatt Gwadar Industrial Gird Station and 165 kilometers long Highway Saifullah Fort to Zhob. Talking to newsmen after inaugurating the projects, he said that with the help of these projects the province would get uplift and the people of Balochistan would get employment opportunities. Asif Ali Zardari also met with the members of Balochistan Cabinet at Chief Ministers House. Talking to Balochistan Cabinet, he said that Federal government was working to introduce a Constitutional package in March that would ensure provision of rights to the provinces. He said the democratic govt was working on an agenda to bolster democracy and provision of basic rights to the people. He said consensus on 7th National Finance Commission Award (NFC) and Aghaz-i-Haqooq Balochistan Package were great achievements of the PPP government. 'Balochistan package is beginning to ensure rights to the people of Balochistan and PPP led government will make all out efforts to address the grievances of people, he added. He said that government had made a plan for construction of various dams to bring a green revolution in Balochistan. President asked that the local agriculture sector to cultivate cash crops after completion of those dams in the province.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt