Govt focused on Balochistan's development: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said his government would continue focusing on the uplift of Balochistan as it links with the country's overall development.

Talking to Changez Khan Jamali, Minister for Science and Technology at the PM House, the Prime Minister said the infrastructure development would greatly facilitate in bringing about a socio-economic change in the province.

The Prime Minister said addressing the deprivation of Balochistan was his personal mission and he would make sure that the same is accomplished.

He said his announcement to visit Balochistan every month signifies the importance attached by the government to bring about a change in the lives of the people in the province.

He assured the Minister that he would personally inaugurate the projects in different sectors including the grid station at Dera Murad Jamali and Dadu-Khuzdar electricity transmission line.

The Prime Minister said appropriate measures were being undertaken to ensure peace and security in the province.

He referred to his earlier statement given in Quetta during his recent visit that the doors for political dialogue with the disgruntled elements are open in the larger interest of progress and prosperity of the people of the province.

The Prime Minister said the government understands the criticality of situation currently obtaining in Balochistan and believes in political solution of the issue.

He said the government would go an extra mile to address their justified grievances within the law and Constitution of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said he had decided to convene the special meeting of federal cabinet in Balochistan right after the conclusion of budget session. The meeting, he said, would ponder over strategies for the province's uplift and development.

He said the government was taking all elements of the Baloch opinion on board to find a negotiated settlement of the issues. He said the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the 7th NFC Award had redirected the resources.

Earlier the Minister for Science and Technology apprised the Prime Minister on socio-economic and political situation in Balochistan. He thanked the government for special attention on strengthening the embankments of rivers in the province and informed that the water courses have since started supply of water to different areas including Dera Murad Jamali.

The Minister said the Prime Minister's recent visit to Quetta was greatly appreciated and helped to remove the sense of alienation among the people of the province.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011