US envoy’s visit: Mullah Omar, Zawahiri not in Balochistan, says Raisani
Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani, has once again categorically denied the presence of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar and al-Qaeda leader Aymen al Zawahiri in Balochistan.
He expressed these views during the meeting with US Ambassador Cameron Munter at Chief Minister Secretariat, here on Thursday. The US ambassador was on a two-day visit to Quetta during which he held meetings with journalists and local editors as well as people from civil society.
“Neither Taliban leader Mullah Omar nor al Qaeda chief Aymen al-Zawahiri is present in Balochistan. The Quetta Shura does not exist here and the situation is under the control of the provincial government,” he told the American envoy.
Raisani as well as other high officials have been claiming that there are no Taliban militants or extremist groups operating within any part of Balochistan.
The chief minister informed his American guests that there is no dispute on linguistic and ethnic basis as the two major ethnic groups of the province, Baloch as well as Pakhtuns, lived in complete harmony with each other.
“Although some incidents of terrorism are taking place in Balochistan, the overall situation is under control and law enforcement agencies are making their efforts to thwart such incidents,” he added.
Munter expressed his concerns over human rights abuses in the province and emphasised that these need to be curbed. He was referring to the issue of Baloch missing persons.
With regard to missing persons, a cell has been institutionalised in the Home Department which is gathering basic details and data about missing people, Raisani said. He deplored that the response to the cell has been lukewarm and only 50 cases have been referred to the special cell. He said his government wanted to resolve this humanitarian issue on a priority basis.
The US ambassador has shown keen interest in development of Balochistan asserting that US would provide technical expertise as well as financial help in sectors identified by the provincial government.
The US Ambassador and his team expressed their condolences over the death of Mir Akmal Raisani, nephew of chief minister, who was assassinated in a grenade attack after a football match in Mastung the other day. The Provincial Chief Secretary, Mir Ahmed Bakhsh Lehri, was also present on the occasion.
Balochistan’s significance for US
In another brief meeting with Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, Munter described Balochistan as ‘vitally’ important for America, adding that solving all problems of the province was a top concern of the American government.
The ambassador assured the speaker of United States’ resolve to provide unflinching support to strengthen democracy in the country.
He assured that the US government will continue to provide financial assistance to complete projects in Balochistan as well as help build new dams in the province.
Aslam Bhootani, talking to reporters later on, said that problems faced by the province in the education sector, water issues as well as Gwadar’s poor road network were discussed with the American envoy.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2011.
COMMENTS (53)
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@Khalid Rahim:
Sir, I think he is the one.
@Bangash: Are you the same Bangash that recently wrote about East Pakistan trying to be the expert on the past crisis!
@M. A. Changezi: Now he should take it seriously since he is now also among the "victims" by losing his nephew. I dont see proper writ of the government in any part of Balochistan. Even in the provincial capital, scores of people are being killed in presence heavily deployed security personnel. And why he would care about the public after all "kursi kursi hoti hai chahe log rahe ya marey"
Blockquote
Blockquote> “Although some incidents of terrorism are taking place in Balochistan, the overall situation is under control and law enforcement agencies are making their efforts to thwart such incidents,” he added.Blockquote
Blockquote
Yeah it's well under control. Just a few incidents of terrorism like 18 Hazaras shot dead within 24 hours, my own nephew blown up in pieces in a grenade attack, tens of university professors shot dead, foreign tourists (which is kinda rare in our motherland) kidnapped.
Just some incidents Mr. Chief Minister. Nothing too serious. We can go on with our daily lives as usual without having to worry about anything since you have said, "everything is under control".
Nutter.
I'm getting really bored of our ambassador's habit of repeating the same generic line. It's just political nice talk and becoming a claim that lacks any value. Personally. I don't care about Balochistan. I may care about what happens to some of the people living there but, at the end of the day, whether or not it's still Balochistan makes no difference to me. The same could be said to any country he uses that line on. Because, truth is, most of the threats are coming from the attachment to some kind of separating label in that area. If the crumbling of Balochistan or any other area happens and it ends up something else for the better, so be it. I have no ill will towards the people in that area of the world and no true desire to discriminate. But, I really couldn't care less about their governing systems and flags they raise which are what give an area its name. The people and their countries are two very separate things in those areas and only one of the two let threats remain threats because they tell the people to allow them to deal with the concerns and look away for the sake of a brighter future with corrupt undertones. The only way to care is on a person to person basis. Seeing them and valuing them as a group just gives the "bad guys" people to hide behind. Of course, turning that concept into fair policy is almost impossible with how set people are in the way things are run in the world. But, I'm not telling them to figure it out and do it while I sit back, either. I'm just supporting realism and sincerity in politics and it comes in the form of a ramble that lacks precision in a big way.
This is the time where the rulers should open their mouth to shut the American mouths.
@Aadersh: Fake Baloch. Imposter.
True Punjabi trying to hold onto whatever he can.
We have seen many fake Bangladeshis in the past.
These days we see fake Kashmiris like Fai.
And now we have a Fake Baloch.
Balochistan has always been a fiercely independent state.
When not even the british succeeded in imposing their rule, who are these rag tag punjabis.
Who will believe him? Nobody knows his statements are fake or real just like the DEGREE :)
Well actually I m Baloch n I don't really require yOu Americans in my part of the world....I m very much happy being part of Pakistan!!
Uncle Sam must recognize its latest nephew, the proud and heroic Baluch people.
Like OBL these terrorists are not in Baluchistan. Even if they were there some time ago, after the killing of OBL they must have moved to safer houses. Nobody especially nationalist Baloch would not allow these known terrorists with a large bounty on their heads live in their province. If any political leader of Pakistan would have known about OBL's presence he would have been long gone!
Pakistani envoy and diplomats freely travel from Washington DC to NY City to Chicago and to Texas at will. There is no problem whatsoever for all their political activities. In fact this question has not arise in the last 3 decades, I have been closely following US politics. The problem with some non-Baloch Pakistanis is that they do not want to even acknowledge that there is a problem in Baluchistan and people want their basic rights and freedom over their natural resources including ports. During the last decade Baluchistan land is sold to UAE and other non locals and foreigners, while the Baloch youths are disappearing and killed. Without taking any side and not starting another debate, Baluchistan should not be ignored and the killings must be stopped and all men who have been taken away immediately released. Even the SC of Pakistan has recognized this fact and I am not making it up. US officials frequently meet Pakistani generals and they regularly visit the US for “consultations”. Is it a big crime that the elected civilian officials of Baluchistan meet the representatives of USA? If Punjab govt can act as if it were an independent country and negotiate foreign countries, why it is not right for Baloch leaders? Being the most backward and poorest province of Pakistan, the provincial govt of Baluchistan has every right to get all economic aid that can be available. On one hand the critics say that the federal govt is corrupt and is not doing anything. If this is correct, then all efforts of Baloch leaders should be endorsed and supported by people of Pakistan. If Baloch would be happy, Pakistan would be happy. It is not that they are our enemies and should not get any support from anybody! To the critics, do you offer them a better option, if you have why are you not implementing it? Who has stopped you for so long?
@Bilafond: Is there any doubt, about it??? Your lot are certainly acting like ones, and that too for quite a while on global circuit !! With all the ridiculous statements and u turns etc ....Apart from their sincerity with their Begging bowl for funds!!! Its becoming a farce !!!
@AK: Please leave you mansion in the in the Weat and go back to Palistan, Make sure that you are strapped to the missile so that you can claim India being in a stone age.
The Moslems aren't happy!
They're not happy in Gaza. They're not happy in Egypt. They're not happy in Libya. They're not happy in Morocco. They're not happy in Iran. They're not happy in Iraq. They're not happy in Yemen. They're not happy in Afghanistan. They're not happy in Pakistan. They're not happy in Syria. They're not happy in Lebanon.
And where are they happy?
They're happy in England. They're happy in France. They're happy in Italy. They're happy in Germany. They're happy in Sweden. They're happy in the USA. They're happy in Norway.
They're happy in every country that is not Moslem! And who do they blame? Not Islam. Not their leadership. Not themselves.
THEY BLAME THE COUNTRIES THEY ARE HAPPY IN!!!!!
@AK: You can't even bomb those rag tag jihadis causing havoc in your towns and cities on regular basis or deal witht the thugs in Karachi ! So why are you dreaming about Kashmir and bombing their land !! Have ever even been there???
@AK: "@Roflcopter: The Kashmiris have set their sights on Indian-occupied Kashmir. Time for India to pack up and leave or else be prepared to be bombed to the stone age."
... while Islamists are about to take you to the stoning age - as in stoning for just about anything the local Mullah can think about.
not a easy question to answer, but easy for those who commenting here, any how, i don't blame you, as you even don;t know who are involved in the target killings.
if Raisani is saying this with publicity, then they are there in quetta.
@Khalid Rahim: Thank you, i am familiar with Zoroastriarism, as i have quite a few Parsi friends from childhood, who i still keep in touch with.
@Hedgefunder:
"What will Pakistan do when the Aid Gravy Train comes to a halt?"
Those who can afford will seek asylum in Western Countries. Those who can't will go to India as refugees. Simple
@Roflcopter: The Kashmiris have set their sights on Indian-occupied Kashmir. Time for India to pack up and leave or else be prepared to be bombed to the stone age.
@Hedgefunder: If Salma heard of Zarathushtra there is wisdom to learn from the fire-worshipper; Turn yourself not away from three best things- Good Thought Good Word Good Deed. Centuries later the Prophet Mohammad(PBUH) kept repeating the same message to his followers.But Zarathushtra also said; He who sows the ground with care and dilligence acquires a greater stock of religious merit than he could gain by repetition of ten thousand prayers. A nation led by self-centered bigots are worse then the maggots that strive on the carrion in the graves!
Raisani also denied the existence of the Quetta Shura.
Now read the title again, got it ?
Now the enemy exposed. Us supports the sepretist or disident elements and parties in various parts of our country whether in baluchistan, karachi or else where. Time has come that we keep ourselves at a distance from that country called super power and not be traped any more in its new world order. We have to be very careful in our dealings while keping whole the country close to our heart.
and Raisani is not Chief Minister of Baluchistan.
@Salma: Before seeking US support for everything, as God Given Right of Pakistanis !! Why not educate people to stop breeding large families, if they can not support them, by themselves and provide them with Family life??? Rest Assure the Aid Gravy train is about to come to abrupt halt, as the US Taxpayers are rather fed up with the Nonsense that is being conducted in the region. Then, what will Pakistan do???
like we did not have Osama in Pakistan. Keep fooling yourself.They have superior technology to find out if you are telling the truth or otherwise. We have now scores of Mullah Omar in Pakistan. Just count the killings,kidnappings,bank robberies,car snatchings, drug trade,arms running etc. Denying the facts will not take us anywhere.
Degree is a degree - whether its fake or real. Another shoot out by the same guy!
quiet interesting now they start showing some interest on balochistan whe it will end hmm.
The Americans have set their sights on Balochistan. Time for Pakistan to pack up and leave or else be prepared to be bombed to the stone age.
So where are they? It means you know.
@SAF. If it is true that RAW is also invloved, be 100% sure that it will be the same outcome as 1971.
ambassador of Pakistan to usa traveled to texas yesterday. there he met with the governor of texas and appreciated the separatist movement currently underway in that state of the "union." the ambassador assured the governor that texas was important for Pakistan because a large number of people of Pakistan origin pump hundreds of millions of dollars in the state economy. later, the ambassador met with state representatives and held talks with the mexican delegation invited by the state for the occasion. he reiterated his opinion that the interest of the state of texas was paramount for Pakistan.
beware Pakistan danger is coming !!
The meeting only reflects the vested interest of foreign powers in Balochistan. These foreign powers are supporting an insurgency into an otherwise peaceful Balochistan. The aim is very clear. To make Balochistan in independent state and utilise its natural resources through peacekeeping forces etc...The elements of RAW and CIA are very actively involved in this conspiracy...As per Indian Defence Review of 2009...Balochistan is going to be an independent state by year 2015/16... Our government is still sleeping on the subject. please wake up! Pakistanis...its a matter of our survival...
so many spelling mistakes in this small article :)
Parasites as Putin called them. They are eyeing the minerals in Baluchistan and energy corridor, beware.
Beware Baloch brothers, do not select one master for another, this time act in Baloch people progress only, so that they can come out of the stone age.
God bless uncle Sam! Uncle Sam zindabad!!
This is sheer hypocrisy and double standards in their own country they are moving away from institutional care for children and here they want children to be sucked into Yateem Khanas ....why doesn't the US govt support kinships families to take care of children without parents....institutional care is extremely harmful for children and the US knows this well.
US-Balochistan friendship, Zindabad.
Why is the US treating Balochistan differently? Is it not a part of Pakistan? There is something going on here that we don't understand.
Very well done Mr. Munter. Goes to show how much USA is helping PAKISTAN in all provinces. USA has every right to have its interests in region and pursue them by political and diplomatic means unlike the Talibans whose only aim is to takeover the world by killing others. These sort of steps were what was earlier required from USA but it made wrong policies and now we are in a mess.
PAK media obviously loves spreading anti-USA sentiments under ISI guidelines which suits its "Dollar" policy. Mr. Munter has done such an exceptional and excellent work in floods last year but how many PAK channels reported on him?
What a great generosity ….. !! The non-cooperation in war on terror is reciprocated by large hearted co-operation in development of backward area of Pakistan. Hats off to Uncle Sam.
All set for the repeat of 1971. This time the Americans will execute the Independence process. Congratulations of the emergence of the Youngest nation.
US Envoy Munter reminds me of US Consul General Blood of East Pakistan fiasco who was declared persona non grata by late President Ayub khan's Government making similar statements and trying to set the theme for separation.
weldone,any other part of Pakistan., where America is not interested?