98% Baloch people are ‘with the state’

LAHORE:

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday said that the issue of Baloch families from Balochistan was being projected in the negative and in sharp contrast to realities as 98% Baloch people were standing with the state of Pakistan.

While responding to different media queries during his visit to the Business Facilitation Centre (BFC) here, the prime minister said that terrorists and armed militants had been involved in the killing of people of Balochistan. “They are killing doctors, lawyers and teachers,” he added.

He reassured that the state would fight with them with all force as they could not be given the licence to kill people.

On police action against Baloch protesters in Islamabad, the premier acknowledged that it should not have happened. However, he said stones were pelted at officials which resulted in police baton-charging protesters and using water cannons.

Kakar also strongly criticised those who had likened the use of water cannons to the situation in Gaza, which is being bombarded by Israel, adding that such people should introspect and reflect.

The prime minister, referring to criticism by a section of the media, said that the government was not fighting with the Baloch families, regretting that efforts were made to spread confusion and mingle things together.

The issue of Baloch families had been blown out of proportion, he said, adding that these terrorists had been taking money and funding from India’s spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and killing people in the province.

The caretaker prime minister said that about 90,000 people had been killed in the fight against terrorism but hardly nine accused had been convicted so far.

The prime minister opined that the criminal justice system in the country required improvement.

To a question, he mentioned that there was no restriction on freedom of expression.

To another question regarding an alleged firing incident in DI Khan over vehicles of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, he said that it was alarming, adding the government was responding to security threats in the southern parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with all the available resources.

The caretaker prime minister said that all the resources and security apparatus would be utilised to ensure the holding of peaceful polls on the election date and expressed the hope that they would be successful in this regard.

Addressing the business community at the BFC, Kakar said that the development model, featuring a close liaison between the government and private sector, could yield positive results for national economic growth.

The prime minister said the enhanced interaction between the business community and the government would help increase employment opportunities, taxation as well as GDP growth.

He said that owing to the mutual cooperation between the government and the business community, the country was heading towards achieving economic stability and revival.

Lauding the idea of the BFC, he said the federal government would also play its part by establishing a liaison with the facility that would also be extended to Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

He also assured the federal government’s all-out facilitation for the business sector through multiple measures.

The prime minister said that the establishment of the institutions like Lahore's BFC in other cities would be beneficial for the national economy.

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He said that the facilitation of business community was among the priorities of the federal and provincial governments.

Earlier chairing a meeting on the Afghan Transit Trade and anti-smuggling measures in Islamabad, Kakar directed to take additional steps for enhancement of foolproof tracking system concerning the ATT.

He also asked for the formulation of an immediate mechanism for the establishment of an integrated transit trade management system.

The meeting was attended by caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akthar, interim Minister for Trade Ejaz Gohar, senior officials of K-P and Balochistan, representatives of the sensitive departments and other relevant officials, PM Office Media Wing said in a statement.

Addressing the participants, the prime minister said that one of the major reasons affecting the country’s economy was smuggling and the illegal movement of goods.

Taking notice of negligence over the smuggling issue, he directed the Balochistan chief secretary to completely change the administrative machinery of Chaghi district.

He directed for initiation of criminal proceedings against any personnel found involved in smuggling, leading to exemplary punishment besides, advising intelligence clearance of any officer before his or her deployment on sensitive posts of customs.

The caretaker prime minister further directed that the checking system should be further strengthened at the Chaman, Torkham, Ghulam Khan check-posts besides, at the border areas of Balochistan.
“Cargo checking should be improved and the number of customs staff at Chaman border be increased,” he added.

He urged the Baloch people to work for the enhancement of businesses and employment in the province.

A briefing over a progress report, compiled by an inquiry committee on ATT, was also given to the prime minister.

Appreciating the performance of the committee so far, he directed it to earnestly compile its recommendations.

The meeting was informed that due to the steps of the government, the smuggling of petroleum products from Iran had been reduced to a huge extent whereas cargo tracking system had started functioning from Taftan to Quetta.

Separately, in his message to the nation, Kakar expressed his government’s resolve to make Pakistan a hub of development and prosperity in the new year.

The prime minister said the year 2024 was significant for the country in its determination to achieve the goals of peace and a strong economy.

PM Kakar urged the demonstration of unity among the ranks of the nation to attain success in every field of life.

Kakar paid tribute to the martyrs of the country who sacrificed their lives for the homeland.

While felicitating the nation on the occasion, he, however, mentioned that the government had banned the celebrations of the new year in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

He also pointed out that 2023 was a year marked by the violence and aggression of the Israeli authorities against the innocent people of Gaza.

The prime minister hoped that the international community would play a role in ensuring peace in Palestine and ending the genocide committed by the Israeli authorities.

He also expressed a desire for the people of Kashmir to attain their right to self-determination in the new year.