Matter of mandate: Govt to hold talks with Baloch leaders

COAS categorically stated that it is not Army’s responsibility to do so.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani asserted that Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kayani has always acknowledged the role of political government regarding its mandate to hold talks with Baloch leaders. He dispelled the impression created by PML-N MNA Saad Rafiq that the army would hold talks with Baloch leaders. He said the COAS categorically stated that the democratic government needs to talk to the Baloch leaders since it was not Army’s responsibility to do so.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2011.