US bill on Balochistan an interference in Pakistan's internal affairs: Dr Firdous

Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said the US House of Representatives' bill regarding Balochistan is an interference in internal affairs of the country. Talking to reporters after inaugurating the annual sports and cultural event of Superior University, the minister said that the government would not compromise on sovereignty and integrity of the country. She said Pakistan had condemned the unjustified move through Foreign Office.
Dr Awan further said all political parties were united to protect country's sovereignty and conspiracies against Pakistan would be foiled. To a question, she said the government would implement the parliament's recommendations on Pak-US relations in letter and spirit. She said: "It is the prerogative of the parliament to decide about the restoration of supplies to Nato."
To another query, she said that the murder of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was an international conspiracy. The budget for the year 2012-13 would be pro-people, she said. To a query, she said the government was making all-out efforts to win confidence of the Baloch people. It may be recalled that Pakistan has already rejected the introduction of a bill in the US House of Representatives on Balochistan and termed it an ill-informed move by the Congressmen.
PML-N Secretary Information Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan told Business Recorder that tabling of a bill on Balochistan by three US lawmakers in the House of Representatives was an attack on Pakistan' sovereignty. Three US lawmakers introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives stating that the Baloch nation has a historic right to self-determination.
The resolution notes that Balochistan is currently divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan with no sovereign rights of its own. It also notes that in Pakistan, the Baloch people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killing. Senator Khan said the Balochistan province is blessed with natural resources.
"The US as per its policy supports resistance movements in those areas world over that have natural resources," he said, adding," The nation should forge unity to foil anti-state conspiracies." The PML-N leader advised Prime Minister Gilani to pay immediate attention to address the issue of Balochistan. He said the situation in Balochistan was critical and practical steps were needed immediately. According to him, general elections in the country to be held in September-October this year.
Regarding 20th Constitutional Amendment, he said, "The PML-N has played historic role in the larger national interest for the passage of this amendment." He added that free and fair elections were the demand of every political force in the country and the PML-N had made this possible through the passage of 20th Constitutional Amendment.
To another query, the PML-N leader said they had no understanding with the PPP led government. He said the PML-N had always played its role as opposition in the interest of public. "It was due to the efforts of the PML-N that a unanimous resolution was passed by the National Assembly against increase in oil prices." Answering another question regarding tendering of enbloc resignation by the PML-N, he said, "This was one of the options that remained under consideration in the party but this option was not considered feasible."