Fresh overtures: Zero tolerance for injustices in Balochistan, says PM
Pledges 20,000 government jobs for Baloch youth as 5,000 recruits inducted into Pakistan Army.
QUETTA:
The prime minister has promised “zero tolerance” for injustice against the people of Balochistan, and also offered to go door-to-door to address the complaints of those who were frustrated by “a sense of deprivation” in the strife-ridden province.
In a speech laced with reconciliatory reminders at the induction ceremony of 5,000 recruits from Balochistan into the Pakistan Army in Quetta on Tuesday, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani looked to highlight the steps taken by the government in a fresh bid to quell discontent in the province.
(Read: Aghaz-e-Haqooq package: Reassurances aside, much left to be done in Balochistan)
Balochistan has seen an increasing restiveness despite the announcing of a wide-ranging package, the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan, two years ago.
20,000 jobs and more
Keen to emphasise the efforts of the government, the premier said that 20,000 jobs would be provided for the unemployed of the province. Speaking of the 5,000 military recruits, Gilani said he was sure that “these youth would bring honour and dignity to the armed forces and Pakistan”.
In addition, the premier touched upon how the government would create employment through various projects including building colleges, water supply schemes and an Internet Technology university, as well as funds for flood relief, displaced people and scholarships.
(Read: Downhill in Balochistan)
He also reiterated a six per cent employment quota in some federal government departments and the introduction of 3,000 jobs in the tribal police for Balochistan residents.
Gilani said measures were afoot to provide natural gas in areas of Sui, Pir Koh and Looti. He said the federal government would also provide 30 per cent of its shares from its 50 per cent of the Saindak Project to the Balochistan government. He said the entire project would be handed over to the government of Balochistan after its completion.
Army drawdown
The prime minister said that military numbers operating in Balochistan have been reduced and the practice of setting up cantonments in the province had already been stopped. Ten check posts of the Pakistan Coast Guard in the province have been abolished, he added.
The people of Balochistan “are a symbol of the nation’s honour,” he added. While Gilani acknowledged the neglect faced by Balochistan, he also said that a “foreign hand” was behind the unrest in the province.
Missing persons
Making it a point to address the ongoing controversy about people going missing in Balochistan, Gilani said that the judicial commission set up to probe the matter would “improve” the mechanism of finding the missing persons.
Gilani asked insurgents operating in the province to “shun violence and work for the progress of Pakistan.” The prosperity of the province was also linked to peace, the premier emphasised.
NFC award
The PM also highlighted the benefits of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for the province. Gwadar was chosen for the finalisation of the award, he said. The award, he added, “guarantees the rights of Balochistan in accordance with the 1973 Constitution, in which the provinces were given their monetary and administrative rights”.
(Read: The terribly sad state of Balochistan)
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and other senior military and civilian officials were also present on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2011.
The prime minister has promised “zero tolerance” for injustice against the people of Balochistan, and also offered to go door-to-door to address the complaints of those who were frustrated by “a sense of deprivation” in the strife-ridden province.
In a speech laced with reconciliatory reminders at the induction ceremony of 5,000 recruits from Balochistan into the Pakistan Army in Quetta on Tuesday, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani looked to highlight the steps taken by the government in a fresh bid to quell discontent in the province.
(Read: Aghaz-e-Haqooq package: Reassurances aside, much left to be done in Balochistan)
Balochistan has seen an increasing restiveness despite the announcing of a wide-ranging package, the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan, two years ago.
20,000 jobs and more
Keen to emphasise the efforts of the government, the premier said that 20,000 jobs would be provided for the unemployed of the province. Speaking of the 5,000 military recruits, Gilani said he was sure that “these youth would bring honour and dignity to the armed forces and Pakistan”.
In addition, the premier touched upon how the government would create employment through various projects including building colleges, water supply schemes and an Internet Technology university, as well as funds for flood relief, displaced people and scholarships.
(Read: Downhill in Balochistan)
He also reiterated a six per cent employment quota in some federal government departments and the introduction of 3,000 jobs in the tribal police for Balochistan residents.
Gilani said measures were afoot to provide natural gas in areas of Sui, Pir Koh and Looti. He said the federal government would also provide 30 per cent of its shares from its 50 per cent of the Saindak Project to the Balochistan government. He said the entire project would be handed over to the government of Balochistan after its completion.
Army drawdown
The prime minister said that military numbers operating in Balochistan have been reduced and the practice of setting up cantonments in the province had already been stopped. Ten check posts of the Pakistan Coast Guard in the province have been abolished, he added.
The people of Balochistan “are a symbol of the nation’s honour,” he added. While Gilani acknowledged the neglect faced by Balochistan, he also said that a “foreign hand” was behind the unrest in the province.
Missing persons
Making it a point to address the ongoing controversy about people going missing in Balochistan, Gilani said that the judicial commission set up to probe the matter would “improve” the mechanism of finding the missing persons.
Gilani asked insurgents operating in the province to “shun violence and work for the progress of Pakistan.” The prosperity of the province was also linked to peace, the premier emphasised.
NFC award
The PM also highlighted the benefits of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for the province. Gwadar was chosen for the finalisation of the award, he said. The award, he added, “guarantees the rights of Balochistan in accordance with the 1973 Constitution, in which the provinces were given their monetary and administrative rights”.
(Read: The terribly sad state of Balochistan)
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and other senior military and civilian officials were also present on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2011.