Gilani reiterates resolve to bring prosperity to Balochistan

QUETTA, July 13 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reiterated his governments firm resolve to end years of deprivation of Balochistan and to bring development and prosperity to the province. Addressing a press conference Gilani said he had promised holding of a meeting of the federal cabinet here and said it focussed on one-point agenda of Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan (AHB) and reviewed the progress made in this regard. Flanked by the Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi, Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, federal ministers for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Interior Rehman Malik, Gilani said his government was fully committed to resolving the problems of the Balochistan. He assured that all matters decided in the AHB would be fulfille. He said thousands of contractual and daily wages employees have been regularised, as per the government policy. The Prime Minister said important decisions have been taken regarding the rights and service matters of the people serving in Balochistan. He also recalled his several meetings in Quetta with representatives of people and various departments and assured that the pending matters would be resolved at the earliest. He said the issue of electricity shortage was a serious matter and would be resolved. He said qualifications, selection criterion and age limits have been relaxed to accommodate large number of youth from Balochistan. To a question about the issue of missing persons, Gilani said threadbare discussion was held and progress made was shared with the Cabinet colleagues. Prime Minister Gilani said he was willing to talk to the angry Baloch leaders and said a committee has already been constituted to hold talks with them. Referring to Pak-US ties, Gilani said these were based on mutual respect and interests, however expressed his concern over the statements emanating from the US regarding the blockage of the military aid for Pakistan Army. Gilani said though there was no final word yet about the issue, however Pakistan does have its concerns as the country was fighting for the peace and prosperity of the region and the world. About the fake vaccination campaign during the US operation to nab Osama bin Laden, Gilani said certain matters were of national importance and it was better not to comment. Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan supports the reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan and would like to be present at the core group - comprising the United States of America, Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said the process must be Afghan based as it would not like to be destabilised because of the situation in Afghanistan. Gilani said Pakistan was working a two tier strategy with Afghanistan that includes both civil and military leaders so as to adopt a unified approach. About the sacking of employees of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), Gilani said the department has been devolved to the provinces under the

18th amendment. He said the matter was discussed under the Council for Common Interests, where the Finance Minister informed that it would be unconstitutional to provide financial assistance. However, he assured that the federal government would provide 50 per cent of the funds if any province wanted to absorb the staff of the NCHD. He said the government of Pakistan Peoples Party has the best possible relations with the establishment and was working for making the country strong and powerful. Answering a question about lack of any senior official of the Pakistan International Airlines from the province Gilani said he has promised that all Corporations and Organisations must have representation from Balochistan and assured that it would be ensured. Gilani said the provinces were fully empowered under the provincial autonomy to the government of Balochistan to address the local matters and assured that the federal government would provide as much assistance as possible. To a question about the reports of resignation of Governor State Bank the prime minister said no such thing was in his knowledge.
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