News
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Gilani asks militants to shun violence* PM says govt ready to hold talks with dissident Baloch brethren for amicable solution to Balochistan issue
* Offers intelligence sharing to Afghanistan in Rabbani murder probe
QUETTA: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Tuesday, said the prosperity of Balochistan was linked to peace, and asked the militants to shun violence and work for the progress of Pakistan.
“Choose the path of peace, as this is the only way for the progress of people of Balochistan and Pakistan,” the prime minister said while addressing the passing out parade of the recruits of the Pakistan Army belonging to Balochistan. “The agenda of terrorists and extremists is certainly against Pakistan,” Gilani said and urged them to shun this path. The ceremony was also attended by Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and senior civil and military officials.
Talking to media persons after the passing out parade, Gilani said that the government wanted reconciliation and was still ready to hold talks with dissident Baloch brethren to find out an amicable solution to the issues of Balochistan. The prime minister also offered Afghanistan intelligence sharing for investigation into assassination of High Peace Council head and former president of Afghanistan Burhanuddin Rabbani. He said Pakistan was too shocked on the murder of the former Afghan president and offered collaboration to the Afghanistan government regarding probe into the killing.
Gilani said Pakistan was working to devise a combine strategy with Afghanistan to counter terrorism in the region. Referring to Pak-US ties, he said that Pakistan and US relations were improving and strengthening. The Pak-US relations were moving in positive directions, he said. Pakistan, he noted, was passing through crucial times. “A combine strategy is being evolved along with Afghanistan to restore peace in the region,” he said, adding the country enjoys cordial relations with the country based on brotherhood.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the law and order situation in Balochistan, he said the elements opposed to the peace were “speed-breakers” in the way of development process being carried out by the incumbent government for the people of the province to remove decades-long grievances. “Those who don’t want peace to prevail in the province would repent at the end as they were causing huge loss to their own people,” he warned.
Welcoming the statement issued by the Baloch leader Sardar Attaullah Mengal, he said a positive change could be anticipated as only the path of peace could put the province on the road to progress and prosperity. He noted that on the reports of involvement of foreign hand in Balochistan’s unrest, the provincial government has been directed to work out on the issue and present its report to the federal government.
Gilani paid rich tributes to the country’s armed forces for their sacrifices to rid the country of the scourge of terrorism. He said the armed forces and the people of Pakistan stand united to eliminate extremism and terrorism and to bring prosperity and development to the country.
The prime minister said the government plans to provide jobs to 20,000 youth from Balochistan and appreciated General Kayani and Commander of the Southern Command Lt General Javed Zia for ensuring best possible training to bring the youth from the area into the national mainstream. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk