News
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Zardari jumps in to ‘salvage’ Baloch
* President says willing to visit the province to talk to ‘disgruntled brothers’
* Urges Magsi to reach out to Baloch leaders, encourage them to engage in talks
KARACHI: Addressing the Balochistan issue is the top most priority of the government, and I am ready to visit the province to hold dialogue with Baloch leaders, a private TV channel quoted President Asif Ali Zardari as saying on Friday.
He was talking to Balochistan Governor Nawabzadah Mir Zulfiqar Magsi at his Karachi residence, where the president had gone to offer his condolences over the death of Magsi’s mother.
“I am willing to talk to my disgruntled Baloch brothers myself,” the president said, adding that he would make sure that the people of Balochistan became part of Pakistan’s society.
President Zardari said he was aware of the injustices to the Baloch people, adding that he would not abandon his brothers in such difficult times.
He expressed assurances to cater for the needs of the people of Balochistan, and also promised to take appropriate measures to bring them in the national mainstream.
The president said that steps were being taken to arrange an All-Parties Conference (APC) to improve the situation in Balochistan, besides evolving a comprehensive strategy for the uplift of the province in order to end the sense of deprivation among the people.
Lauding the Baloch people for their patriotism, President Zardari urged Zulfiqar Magsi to use his influence as a leader of his clan to play his part in defusing any tensions, misunderstandings and ill feelings among the dissident leaders of the province, and encourage them for peace efforts and engagement in dialogue.
Stressing the need for speedy completion of various developmental projects of Balochistan, President Zardari assured Magsi of complying with the quota of official vacancies for the people of Balochistan. Sindh Food Minister Nawab Nadir Magsi was also present on the occasion. daily times monitor/agenciesCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk