Tariq sees foreign hand in Balochistan unrestISPR chief rejects US magazine report on Fata
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem on Wednesday said that there were strong indications of involvement of foreign hand in creating law and order situation in Balochistan.
“The weapons recovered from miscreants in Balochistan are sophisticated, expensive and modern which is a strong indication of involvement of a foreign hand,” he said while addressing a joint press conference with Director-General ISPR Major-General Shaukat Sultan.
During the press conference, Balochistan and Fata situation was touched besides other issues, including the letter of retired generals and some members of the civil society to President Pervez Musharraf.
Tariq said there would be no compromise with anti-state elements, and the government writ would be established at all costs in Balochistan. When repeatedly asked whether this foreign hand could be of India, he did not name Delhi but said, “Everyone knows that why India has opened its consulates in Afghanistan near Pakistani borders. India could be in a better position to explain the reasons for opening of consulates in Afghanistan near Pakistani borders.”
ISPR Director-General Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan rejected the Newsweek’s report on the Fata situation as baseless, saying that apparently it seems that the commentator being quoted in the report has never visited the area personally.
On the local Maliks’ powers, he said traditionally, the Maliks and political agents handled the situation in the tribal areas. However, he said the introduction of adult franchise in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata) in 1997 changed the scenario as the Maliks were replaced with clerics, who came into power due to general elections.
“While the election introduced democracy in the area, it also led to transfer of power from the Maliks to clerics, so blaming the government’s development projects for the failure of the Maliks in Fata is totally a biased verdict,” he said.
He said President Pervez Musharraf had already declared that no foreigner would be allowed to stay illegally in Fata unless he declared his identity and assured the government that he would not indulge in terrorism.
Highlighting the government development projects in Balochistan, Minister of State Tariq Azeem said the government has implemented most of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan, including provision of free of cost gas to the residents of Sui. “In line with the recommendations, all dues and arrears of the Balochistan government, in respect of royalty or gas development surcharge, were settled as of 30th of last month,” he added.
He said the development process is being carried out in Balochistan under which Rs 133 billion are being spent on mega projects while Rs 30.6 billion have been allocated for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of the province. He pointed out that under the National Finance Commission Award, Balochistan would get Rs 24.47 billion during the current financial year —- 141 per cent increase over its share in 1999.
He said gas is being supplied, free of cost, to every household of Sui, and according to a recent survey there are only 1,070 households left and directions have been given for free installation and provision of gas to them as well.
He said 108 check-posts have already been abolished in Balochistan and only those have been retained which are necessary for maintenance of law and order. Tariq said that under the prime minister’s instructions, 33,400 jobs were created by the federal and provincial governments. “They included 3,570 in the education sector and over 1,500 in construction of water courses,” he added.
He said this year, Balochistan would get Rs 30.6 billion under the PSDP while the Higher Education Commission has doubled PhD study quota for the province to 36. The minister said a number of important highways and roads are being constructed to integrate different parts of Balochistan and to improve its connectivity with the rest of the country. “These included Quetta-Zhob-DIK, Qilla Saifullah-Loralai-DG Khan, and Noshki-Taftan roads. Noshki-Taftan road would link Balochistan with Iran, Turkey and Europe,” he added.
He said Balochistan was provided Rs 400 million for a container terminal and the Gwadar railway station and additional Rs 50 million are being provided this year for the purpose.
He said the Quetta airport would have night landing facility in September this year, making it operational for 24 hours. Responding to a question, Tariq said Pakistan has received no list of wanted persons from the United States.
To another question, he said Pakistan is touch with OIC leaders for convening an extraordinary session of the organisation on the Lebanese crisis. “Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression and demands immediate ceasefire and President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have contacted the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and other Muslim states to bring an end to the conflict and start a dialogue process to resolve the crisis,” he added.
Replying to a question, Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan said the Pakistan Army has completed its strategy to meet any situation that may arise in case of floods. “The Army has completed its SOP (standard operating procedures) regarding the flood relief activities. We are ready to help if the civilian administration seeks Pakistan Army’s help in this regard,” he added.
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem on Wednesday said that there were strong indications of involvement of foreign hand in creating law and order situation in Balochistan.
“The weapons recovered from miscreants in Balochistan are sophisticated, expensive and modern which is a strong indication of involvement of a foreign hand,” he said while addressing a joint press conference with Director-General ISPR Major-General Shaukat Sultan.
During the press conference, Balochistan and Fata situation was touched besides other issues, including the letter of retired generals and some members of the civil society to President Pervez Musharraf.
Tariq said there would be no compromise with anti-state elements, and the government writ would be established at all costs in Balochistan. When repeatedly asked whether this foreign hand could be of India, he did not name Delhi but said, “Everyone knows that why India has opened its consulates in Afghanistan near Pakistani borders. India could be in a better position to explain the reasons for opening of consulates in Afghanistan near Pakistani borders.”
ISPR Director-General Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan rejected the Newsweek’s report on the Fata situation as baseless, saying that apparently it seems that the commentator being quoted in the report has never visited the area personally.
On the local Maliks’ powers, he said traditionally, the Maliks and political agents handled the situation in the tribal areas. However, he said the introduction of adult franchise in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata) in 1997 changed the scenario as the Maliks were replaced with clerics, who came into power due to general elections.
“While the election introduced democracy in the area, it also led to transfer of power from the Maliks to clerics, so blaming the government’s development projects for the failure of the Maliks in Fata is totally a biased verdict,” he said.
He said President Pervez Musharraf had already declared that no foreigner would be allowed to stay illegally in Fata unless he declared his identity and assured the government that he would not indulge in terrorism.
Highlighting the government development projects in Balochistan, Minister of State Tariq Azeem said the government has implemented most of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan, including provision of free of cost gas to the residents of Sui. “In line with the recommendations, all dues and arrears of the Balochistan government, in respect of royalty or gas development surcharge, were settled as of 30th of last month,” he added.
He said the development process is being carried out in Balochistan under which Rs 133 billion are being spent on mega projects while Rs 30.6 billion have been allocated for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of the province. He pointed out that under the National Finance Commission Award, Balochistan would get Rs 24.47 billion during the current financial year —- 141 per cent increase over its share in 1999.
He said gas is being supplied, free of cost, to every household of Sui, and according to a recent survey there are only 1,070 households left and directions have been given for free installation and provision of gas to them as well.
He said 108 check-posts have already been abolished in Balochistan and only those have been retained which are necessary for maintenance of law and order. Tariq said that under the prime minister’s instructions, 33,400 jobs were created by the federal and provincial governments. “They included 3,570 in the education sector and over 1,500 in construction of water courses,” he added.
He said this year, Balochistan would get Rs 30.6 billion under the PSDP while the Higher Education Commission has doubled PhD study quota for the province to 36. The minister said a number of important highways and roads are being constructed to integrate different parts of Balochistan and to improve its connectivity with the rest of the country. “These included Quetta-Zhob-DIK, Qilla Saifullah-Loralai-DG Khan, and Noshki-Taftan roads. Noshki-Taftan road would link Balochistan with Iran, Turkey and Europe,” he added.
He said Balochistan was provided Rs 400 million for a container terminal and the Gwadar railway station and additional Rs 50 million are being provided this year for the purpose.
He said the Quetta airport would have night landing facility in September this year, making it operational for 24 hours. Responding to a question, Tariq said Pakistan has received no list of wanted persons from the United States.
To another question, he said Pakistan is touch with OIC leaders for convening an extraordinary session of the organisation on the Lebanese crisis. “Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression and demands immediate ceasefire and President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have contacted the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and other Muslim states to bring an end to the conflict and start a dialogue process to resolve the crisis,” he added.
Replying to a question, Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan said the Pakistan Army has completed its strategy to meet any situation that may arise in case of floods. “The Army has completed its SOP (standard operating procedures) regarding the flood relief activities. We are ready to help if the civilian administration seeks Pakistan Army’s help in this regard,” he added.
