PM ensures funds for Balochistan's welfare projects

      ISLAMABAD, Jul 2 (APP): Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on
Monday said the government despite its financial constraints would
ensure provision of funds for public welfare programmes in
Balochistan.
      The Prime Minister was chairing a meeting on issues relating
Balochistan, at the Prime Minister's Secretariat here.
      The Prime Minister mentioned the financing of mega projects
particularly Gwadar Ratu Dero Road (M-8), Kachhi Canal, Gwadar Deep
sea port at priority basis.
      He said the federal government had committed 6,000
scholarships for the youth of Balochistan for higher studies within
the country and abroad. Besides, he said, focus was being laid on
establishment of vocational and technical centers at the provincial
and divisional headquarters of the province.
      The Prime Minister said the federal government had committed
an amount of one billion rupees for the rehabilitation of Internally
Displaced Persons of the district Dera Bugti.
      He said bringing stability and prosperity in Balochistan was
the top priority of his Government.
      He said Balochistan is an important part of the country and
because of its strategic location, the maintenance of peace here was
of utmost importance.
      He said, "I categorically declare that Balochistan issue is on
my priority list and I have invited disgruntled Baloch leaders to
start dialogue with the government to resolve the crisis at the
earliest."
      Prime Minister Ashraf said the federal government was fully
aware of the past excesses made to the people and the province which
caused a serious sense of deprivation.  
      He said the government introduced Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan
Package in 2009, in which 61 reforms proposals, in the categories of
constitutional, administrative, political and economic matters were launched.
      He mentioned that a Cabinet Committee under the chairmanship
of Senator Mian Raza Rabbani was also constituted to analyze the
needs of the Balochistan Province and to minutely review the
situation and firm up its recommendations for reduction in the sense
of alienation and deprivation.
     He said the government besides moving towards the solution of
the issues and meeting the demands of Balochs, had tendered an
unconditional apology to them.
      He said the self-styled independence of federal agencies was
being checked and it would be ensured that these should not act
independently in connection with law and order issue. He said rather
these agencies should provide assistance to the provincial
government in aid to civil power as and when required.
      The Prime Minister said although the politically motivated
activities in Balochistan were quite serious, but the graph of
conventional crimes in the province was also on rise.
      He said the federal government had sanctioned 3,000 posts of
Federal Levies for maintenance of law and order duties and Highway
security in Balochistan.
      Raja Pervez said the government was committed to provide funds to
the tune of two billion for the purchase of arms ammunition, communication
equipments and required transport for the police and levies of the
province.
      He directed the Balochistan government to speed up its efforts
for protecting the highways, key installations particularly gas and
electricity so that the pace of development is properly maintained.
      The menace of kidnapping for ransom also needs to be curbed
with iron hand, he added.
      The Prime Minister said the government withdrew many cases of
political workers not involved in heinous crimes and added that a number
of missing persons were reunited with their families.
      He said withdrawal of army and deployment of Frontier
Constabulary brought tangible results.
   Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said the Frontier
Constabulary was directed to seek guidance and instructions from the
Chief Minister Balochistan on the issues of internal security of the
province.