Home minister vows no let-up on law and order

Says it is the responsibility of govt to protect lives and property of all citizens

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has vowed that no compromise would be made on the supremacy of law and that all resources would be utilised to protect the lives of people.

"The current government is taking effective measures to maintain law and order in the province," Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove said, while addressing a high-level meeting the other day in the provincial capital.

The meeting was attended by Quetta Commissioner Usman Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner Aurangzeb Badini, Balochistan IG police Mohsin Hassan Butt, DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema and other senior officials.

"It is our responsibility to protect the lives and property of all citizens without any discrimination. Our commitment to counter terrorism cannot be undermined by such cowardly acts," Langove declared, while referring to the Quetta attack.

At least 15 people were martyred and 19 injured in a deadly blast on Friday at a mosque in Quetta.

The evidence collected from the explosion site by the bomb disposal squad confirmed that the tragic incident was a suicide bombing.

The home minister said the government was taking every possible step to fully implement the roadmap regarding the rule of law.

He emphasised that further improvement in the system was necessary to reduce the crime rate and noted that steps were being taken to train and equip police, Levies and other law enforcement agencies on modern lines.

The minister noted that the law and order situation in the province had improved and that the “government will ensure lasting peace for the people of Balochistan.”

Commenting on the ongoing socio-economic projects, Langove said that the government was actively pursuing development work in the province.

"The provincial cabinet has approved a five-year plan for achieving the economic development goals, imparting education on people, providing health, employment and other basic facilities to the youth and eradicating extremism and militancy," he observed.

He maintained that CPEC would open new avenues of success and exploration in the province with the involvement of the local population.

"In order to take Balochistan on the path of peace and development, every individual should play his role. It is an important component of the government policy to take all onboard on the governmental issues,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2020.