News
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
PM invites disgruntled Baloch youth to talks* Raja advises ‘few angry youngsters’ not to play in enemies’ hands
* Vows not to let few people take entire province hostage for their agenda
* Blames foreign powers for unrest in province
* Rules out talks with anti-Pakistan elements
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday expressed full faith in holding constructive dialogue and political engagement with disgruntled Baloch youth, which he said could steer the province and country out of its current problems.
"Entire Pakistan is yours, come and talk to your own government. You will not be disappointed," he said.
Addressing a workshop on ‘Balochistan Situation - Perception and Realities, the Way Forward’ at the National Defence University (NDU), the prime minister extended an olive branch to the estranged elements in the province, saying Pakistan is capable of resolving its issues by asserting its sovereignty.
He urged the "few angry youngsters" involved in negative activities within the country and abroad not to fall prey to the intrigues of detractors of Pakistan. He said the government would do everything to restore peace and security in Balochistan, however, stressed that "we would not talk to those who are against Pakistan's sovereignty and Pakistani flag".
The PM also accused foreign powers of fuelling unrest in Balochistan and vowed not to let a few people take the entire province hostage for their agenda. He declared that the people of Pakistan would go an extra mile to redress the grievances of the people of Balochistan.
Raja reiterated that the unrest in Balochistan was an "internal issue" of the country that would be amicably resolved through "collective wisdom". He also brushed aside the notion that insurgency is raging in the province, saying trouble in some pockets of the province could not be called insurgency. However, he emphasised this problem should be tackled to check its spiraling impact.
The prime minister urged the national media to refrain from towing the line of the foreign media on Balochistan issue, which, he said, was projecting it "disproportionately". He said it was undermining national solidarity and causing anxiety among the people of Pakistan.
He also stressed seeing the situation of the province in its real perspective by keeping in view its connections with the internal and external situation. "There is not one, but many fronts on which we need to fight for the cause of the people of Balochistan," he added.
Raja urged all stakeholders to keep in mind the larger interest of the nation, which was linked to the future of Balochistan and the country. "Dispassionate" decisions could have impact on the lives of people in the long run,” he observed. He also stressed rising above personal interests to empathise with Baloch brothers and find pragmatic solutions for all issues.
"What we want to achieve is actually winning the hearts of our brothers through a solemn and dedicated commitment for their socio-economic uplift," he said.
Raja noted that sectarian killings in the province needed to be seen in context of geo-strategic linkages to the Balochistan issue and said non-state actors and foreign-sponsored groups, under the garb of sectarian cover, were fueling the fire that warranted vigilance at government and society levels.
The prime minister also commended the role of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps in promoting and protecting national interests in Balochistan. He stressed laying focus on social sector, including education and healthcare, wherein Balochistan lagged behind due to vast area and lack of resources vis-à-vis demand.
"Balochistan tops the agenda of the present government and we will do everything possible to eliminate the sense of deprivation among our Baloch brothers and sisters," he added. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk