PM Ashraf invites ‘genuine’ Baloch leaders to participate in elections

Says govt serious in resolving Balochistan’s issues, energy crisis and price hikes.

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the government has announced its willingness to hold dialogue with Baloch leaders in order to collectively resolve the Balochistan crisis.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf invited on Tuesday “genuine Baloch leaders” to participate in the upcoming general elections, but added that negotiations will be held with those leaders “who respect the Pakistan flag”.

“The government is ready to go to the last mile to bring durable peace in Balochistan. We want dialogue with Balochs. Let’s sit together and try to explore the ways for resolving all issues,” he said during his maiden speech on floor of the Senate.

The premier added that Balochistan’s problem appears to be two-pronged – one issue is “political and the other is administrative.” He said that his government is serious in resolving all issues such as price hike, energy crisis and unrest in Balochistan.

It is now obligatory for government servants to serve in Balochistan for three years for a promotion to the next grade, he added. “I, with the collective wisdom of my cabinet colleagues, am trying to overcome all challenges,” Prime Minister Ashraf said.

Speaking about the war on terror, he paid tribute to the nation and armed forces for their bravery. Commenting on Tuesday’s attack on peace award winner Malala Yousafzai in Swat, the premier said it’s time for parliament to map out a strategy to counter terrorism.

Prime Minister Ashraf also ordered the release of development funds for Senators on an urgent basis.

Responding to a call attention notice moved by Senators Col (retd) Tahir Mashhadi and Nuzhat Sadiq, Adviser for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain said that the Cabinet has decided that prices of all petroleum products would be changed on a weekly basis due to fluctuation of prices in the international market.  “When the cost is low in the international market, its benefits are passed over to the common people.” The government has also taken special measures to stop hoarding, he said, adding that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) is not under the administrative control of the ministry as it is with the Cabinet Division.

Backing Hussain, the premier informed the Upper House that they could not decrease oil prices despite knowing that the elections were around the corner.

“We cannot give more subsidies as the international market is bracing for a hike in petroleum products,” he said.

Question and answer session

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Production Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood informed lawmakers that the government is facing problems in maintaining economic stability and growth acceleration through various financial reforms. “We are following a self-reliance policy to reduce dependence on foreign aid or loans, including IMF financing.”

He was responding to a question posed by MQM Senator Col (retd) Mashhadi. “We are going from bad to worse as we are paying Rs828.2 billion as interest annually on internal loans,” observed Mashhadi.

Senator Ishaq Dar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz informed the House that the IMF team has refused to hold talks with Pakistan, “So, our economy is heading towards destruction.”

Ignoring the criticism, however, Mehmood said the government obtained Rs1,952 billion of internal and external loans to achieve its financial target during the last financial year. The government is focusing on an expenditure management strategy through containing fiscal deficit by introducing austerity measures eliminating general subsidies, restructuring of public sector enterprises and resolving the issue of circular debt, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2012.