Cabinet decision: Supreme Court judge-led body to probe Bugti's killing

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Wednesday the cabinet meeting held in the provincial capital decided to set up a judicial commission headed by a judge of the Supreme Court to conduct probe into the killing of veteran Baloch leader, Nawab Akbar Bugti.
Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting at Chief Ministers Secretariat here, she said: "Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and the cabinet took decision that a judicial commission headed by judge of the Supreme Court will investigate the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti." Elaborating another decision of the cabinet meeting, she said the prime minister has directed recruitment with immediate effect against over 6700 posts of the federal government on Balochistan quota.
"The prime minister has ordered that a selection board will conduct test and walk-in interviews of the recruitment process within one day in Quetta after an advertisement through newspapers," she said. The minister said that the step would give a message to the Balochistan's youth that government was serious towards their problems.
To a question about observance of merit in new recruitment on Balochistan quota jobs at federal level, she said that all recruitment will be done on merit, otherwise, the purpose of the prime minister's initiative will not be served. The minister said that under the devolution plan, the federal government had devolved several departments including health, education, environment, sports, women development, food and agriculture and this would help create more job opportunities in Balochistan.
She said after the devolution plan, it is also responsibility of the provinces to take serious steps to resolve their issues of poverty, unemployment and law and order. The federal government was always there to support the provinces in their efforts to fight poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, inflation and improve law and order situation, she added.
"Provincial autonomy was dream of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto which was fulfilled by the government of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani," Dr Firdous added. Dr Firdous said that after the passage of 18th Amendment, Balochistan would get its share in gas, petroleum and other mines and minerals.
The minister said the prime minister had directed to relax job criteria for youth of Balochistan in respect of age, education and others. She said the cabinet meeting reviewed one-point agenda of development in connection with implementation of Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package.
Dr Firdous said that about 65 per cent points of Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan have been implemented while the work for implementing the remaining points was in progress. The minister said the government was taking measures to ensure security and protection to life and property of people of Balochistan by improving law and order.
The minister acknowledged that Balochistan Governor and Chief Minister pleaded the case of the province very ably, for which they deserve full credit. While replying to a question, she said Awami National Party (ANP) was an important stakeholder in Karachi and it has proved to be a time-tested ally of the PPP. The ANP leadership has always talked about democracy, Pakistan and their role in national politics has always been positive, she added.
GILANI HAILS 65PC IMPLEMENTATION OF BALOCHISTAN PACKAGE Appreciating 65 per cent implementation of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said the issues of the province were of national importance.
He was chairing a cabinet meeting here at Chief Minister Secretariat. Balochistan Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and provincial legislators also attended the meeting. Gilani hoped that the remaining part of the package would be implemented at the earliest.
"The whole parliament had supported the Balochistan Package which shows that the entire nation desires the progress and development of the people of province," he said. He warned the people working against the integrity of Pakistan and interests of Balochistan, to refrain from creating law and order situation in the province and hold dialogue with the provincial government to find out an amicable solution of the issues. He announced lifting of ban on recruitment against vacancies in federal government departments on Balochistan quota.
The prime minister said the presence of Federal Cabinet in Quetta showed the commitment of incumbent government for improving the socio-economic conditions in the province. He commended the efforts of Balochistan Chief Minister for bridging the gap between the Centre and the province. "The Federal Government stands behind the Chief Minister and the Balochistan government for their endeavours to bring peace and stability in the province," he added. Earlier, the Secretary Establishment Division briefed the Cabinet on the salient features of the Balochistan package and the status of its implementation.