Defence Minister Pervez Khattak on Thursday said that all six points raised by Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) have been thoroughly discussed and agreed upon by the government. Speaking at a joint presser along with Chief BNP-M Akhtar Mengal, Khattak said that both BNP-M and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have reached an agreement and there is no rift between the allies.
Briefly discussing the points agreed upon, Khattak said that the government has already passed a motion in the National Assembly, empowering the National Assembly Speaker to constitute a committee comprising members belonging to all parliamentary parties to look into issues of the people of Balochistan.
"A committee to address the matter of missing persons in Balochistan, a point raised by BNP-M, has already been formed," he added. He said that about the water issue, which the party has raised, "we are committed to building several small dams to help conserve water," adding that the feasibility for two big dams is also being prepared and work on them will start as soon as the process is completed.
Another issue discussed in the meeting was the sense of insecurity that the people of Gwadar feel because of a large number of outsiders that are going to the area as it develops. There is a fear that these people may be able to obtain identification cards from the area and the Baloch majority may become a minority.
"We have ensured the party that a bill will be brought into the National Assembly to ensure that such an event does not take place and the rights of the people of Gwadar are protected," the defence minister said.
Khattak further announced that a gold refinery would be set up in Balochistan to benefit the province and its people.
Another one of the BNP-M's concerns was the unfulfilled promise of six percent government jobs being provided to the people of the province. "Regarding this, we have assured the party that the promise will be fulfilled and, with time, Balochistan will get its fair share in the government jobs," Khattak said.
The last point on the agenda was about the respectful repatriation of Afghan refugees, which both sides have agreed upon.
Speaking on the occasion, Mengal said that he was grateful that the government has taken the time to ease the party's concerns. However, he said it should be known that the differences between the two sides did not develop because of BNP-M.
The BNP-M leader also pointed out that, during the discussion, the Prime Minister has assured him that no reductions will be made to the NFC Award and that the 18th Amendment will not be rolled back.
"These rumours are floating around, but the truth is that to make both these changes, we need a two-thirds majority (in the NA) and we do not have that. Thus, to the people creating these rumours, I would like to tell them that they should stop lying so much," Khattak interjected.
Mengal also told the media that he has suggested to the Prime Minister that a committee of political leaders be sent to Balochistan to properly understand the grievances of the people there.
"Once it returns, the committee should present a report to the Parliament and then whatever decision is taken on the matter will be acceptable to us," he said.
The announcement has eased the government's concerns to a great extent ahead of the crucial vote on the budget, as four BNP-M MNAs have also voted in favour of the cut motions presented by the government. The BNP-M, which is a 'confidence and supply' partner of the ruling PTI, had earlier threatened to abstain from voting on the budget, warning that it would go with whoever could address its grievances.
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