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Sunday, February 26, 2012
Third-party cases against Baloch leaders can’t be withdrawn: Malik
* Interior minister says only political cases against Baloch leaders will be quashed
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Saturday that the government could not withdraw cases against Baloch leaders where a third party was involved.
“Only political cases against Baloch leaders would be quashed, while those filed by a third party cannot be withdrawn and, hence, would remain intact,” he told the media after a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani. He said his meeting with Raisani remained “fruitful”, adding that various issues of national interests came under discussion. Malik said withdrawal of political cases against Baloch leaders was in accordance with Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan. He agreed Balochistan had been neglected in the past, adding that the PPP-led government had taken various steps for the development of the province. “We have fulfilled all the promises we made with the people of Balochistan. We will continue working for their welfare,” he added. He said the Balochistan chief minister has demanded more jobs for his province, adding that the federal government would fulfil this demand. The minister said the government was committed to addressing grievances of Baloch people, adding that President Asif Ali Zardari had stated that he would visit Balochistan to resolve people's problems. Malik said some elements were trying to create unrest in Balochistan but they would never succeed in their nefarious designs. He said the Balochistan chief minister had called for declaring the Gwadar Port a “free port” adding, “This will be better for the region.”
Malik said that an agreement would soon be signed with the UAE government for extradition of prisoners. To a question, he said that except for a few districts, the law and order situation in Balochistan was good. “Pakistani prisoners will complete their remaining penalties in the country. Those who will get benefit from this accord should be thankful to the government of Pakistan,” he said. Malik said that orders have been issued to write a letter to Interpol for the arrest of former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf. Malik stirred the political scene by saying early this week that the government is willing to quash cases against all Baloch leaders living in exile. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk