PPP ready to talk to people believing in country's Constitution, writ: Dr Firdous

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 18:34

KARACHI: Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Wednesday that PPP leadership was always ready to talk to those who believed in country's Constitution and abide by its writ and ideology.

"We are ready to talk to them and ready to win back the hearts of estranged people and are willing to engage them at every level of dialogue and cooperation," she said while speaking at the launching of 100 kilowatt high power transmitter at Radio Pakistan's Turbat Station, from Karachi studios here on Wednesday.

However, she maintained that those who desecrated and burnt national flags and conspired against country's existence will not enjoy a soft corner or a place in the hearts of people.       The minister could not fly to Turbat due to technical fault in PIA's aircraft which landed back soon after taking off from Karachi airport.

Addressing Senator Ismail Buledi, Senator Dr Abdul Malik and other notables and officials, who were present at Turbat Radio Station, she said: "We need to be united to face such conspiracies. I appreciate your efforts in strengthening Pakistan and making it a progressive and prosperous country."

The minister said that PPP leadership, while promoting Baloch friendly approach of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, is taking timely initiatives with regards to the rights of people of Balochistan and their implementation.

These steps would help create better harmony between the federation and the provinces, but also be able to provide reliable news in time to Baloch people living in far flung hilly areas, she said.

The minister said it would also keep people abreast of the current affairs besides broadcasting entertainment programmes for women folk.

Dr Firdous said that the Baloch youth will enjoy quality information and entertainment programmes on Turbat Radio Station. This transmitter, she hoped will play an important role by engaging Baloch youth in variety of current affairs programmes.

This transmitter, established on the special instructions of President Asif Ali Zardari, has materialized your long standing demand of installing 100 KW high power transmitter at Turbat station of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Firdous said.

"By launching this transmitter for further developing and effectively using mass communication, we are also promoting provincial harmony, which was promoted and ensured under Aghaz-e- Huqooq-e-Balochistan, she noted.

The minister pointed out that two Senators Ismail Buledi and Dr Abdul Malik, not from PPP, have inaugurated this transmitters at Turbat as its custodians. This is a true reflection of PPP's belief in political reconciliation approach. PPP moves forward by involving peoples' representatives in the projects of national interests, she said.

Dr. Firdous said that PPP leadership and President Asif Ali Zardari have accorded top priority to the redressal of Balochistan issues and always recognised the role of Baloch people in the development and prosperity of Pakistan.

"We also acknowledge their role in taking Pakistan to the path of progress and glory and their sacrifices for the federation of Pakistan and their immortal love for Pakistan from the creation till its stability".

The minister recalled that Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto while addressing the people of Balochistan in a public meeting, seven days before her martyrdom, stated that she had brought the message of peace and brotherhood for the Baloch people.

Dr Awan stated that peace and brotherhood cannot be promoted by force, but through dialogue. Therefore, PPP leadership by following her vision, has initiated dialogue. "In our opinion, dialogue is the way forward".

She said that under the present situation in Balochistan where miscreants and terrorists are usurping the rights of Baloch people, on the one hand, and the prevailing sense of depravation, on the other, it is vital to initiate dialogue with Baloch leadership.

"We have to empower and take on-board, the peaceful people of Balochistan who are the true symbol of Pakistan's pride and prestige and projects like PBC transmitter will ultimately strengthen our approach, because we can better engage our youth in their empowerment through mass communication", she observed.‑Reuters

The minister maintained that this transmitter can also help in creating awareness and further activating women, who are the victims of social injustices, about their rights.

Referring to the rich culture, great civilization and the overall introduction and identity of Baloch brotherhood and peace, she the underlined need to expand the network of such transmitters to promote this culture.

The voice from transmitter will not be restricted to Pakistan only, but also reach large number of Balochis living in other neighbouring countries including Iran, Muscat, Dubai, minimizing their home sickness, the minister said.

Radio Pakistan Turbat will help in rejoining the families and ultimately fulfill the dream of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for the development and prosperity of Balochistan, which is being ensured by the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani's package for the Baloch people under Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan, she added.

This service will help project the case of Baloch people with regard to their rights, concerns, overall interests, ideas, capabilities and talent.

Radio Pakistan Turbat will emerge as the true spokesman of Baloch people, she said. "I want to give my message that acts of terrorism and criminal activities and target killings will not defeat the courage of Baloch people. She said Balochistan was vital for the progress and economic development of the country. It is a must to improve the lives of Baloch people to keep the economic wheel moving, she added.

She recalled that Balochistan got the highest share from federation in NFC Award among all the provinces on the basis of backwardness parameter rather than population. This also speaks of PPP's approach of considering Balochistan as Pakistan's part and parcel and the party wants to remove the sense of deprivation from Balochistan and engage this province in the mainstream political system.

She said that Gwadar port will emerge as economic hub and the impact of economic development and prosperity in this area will be felt in the entire country.

"I assure Senator Ismail Buledi and Senator Dr Abdul Malik that the government wanted to empower Baloch youth by giving them all the rights in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan. Political segregation is not our motive or political agenda and PPP keeps national interests prime without any political or regional affiliation.

"We have given message to all political parties that we cannot harm national interest for point scoring and our leadership despite all difficulties has always tried to find out solutions through dialogue. All the difficult issues can be resolved through negotiations, she added.

She said that 600 Baloch students have been awarded PhD scholarships, while 10,000 Baloch youth have been empowered under PM's Intern programme to study in prestigious universities and colleges.

She noted that the continuity of democratic system can remove the sense of deprivation of Baloch people and can empower them by ensuring provincial and administrative autonomy.

Responding to the demand of Senator Ismail Buledi for recruiting locals in Turbat station, the minister said that qualified local youth have the first right to jobs.

The identity of Pakistan is attached to Balochistan while the identity of Balochistan is attached to Pakistan and "we need to protect the identity of each other."

She said more than 10,000 Baloch youth have been inducted in Pakistan Army in the last two years which is a sufficient proof of their patriotism. You have to defend your country and also stand as solid rock against those who want to weaken Pakistan.

Director General PBC Murtaza Solangi in his welcome address said that this station will cover a vast area of Balochistan during the day and can be heard in UAE, Iran, Oman and other Gulf countries.