...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
was top on his list of priorities, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday said bringing stability and prosperity in the province would be the top priority of his government.
Chairing his first meeting on Balochistan crisis as prime minister, Raja said the self-styled independence of federal agencies is being checked by ensuring that they do not act independently in connection with law and order. He said the federal agencies were meant to provide assistance to the provincial government as and when required. The prime minister further said that he had invited the Baloch leadership for dialogue to address all their grievances within the framework of federation. "I will soon visit Balochistan with a view to find out an acceptable solution of the Balochistan problem after holding detailed discussion with all the stakeholders," he announced.
Raja directed the law minister to hold a meeting on Tuesday (today) exclusively on missing persons' issue. It would be attended by secretaries of defence, interior, law, Balochistan chief secretary, FC IG, IB DG, head of ISI in Balochistan and the provincial police IG. He also directed the Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission to prioritise the projects in Balochistan having direct bearings on the people of the province. In this regard, the prime minister said that the road from Gwadar to Rato Dero, Kacchi Canal, RCD Highway, solar tube wells, etc, should be given due consideration. Raja noted Balochistan was an important part of the country and because of its strategic location, the maintenance of peace there was of utmost importance.