PM moves to calm frayed tempers

In an anticipated somersault the government backtracked on a crackdown against insurgent groups in Balochistan.

ISLAMABAD: In an anticipated somersault the government backtracked on its earlier statement that a targeted crackdown would be mounted against various insurgent groups in Balochistan. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday categorically said that the government has no intention of launching a Swat-like military operation in the province.

The statement comes days after the country’s security czar, Rehman Malik, told journalists in Quetta that a “targeted action” would be carried out against miscreants to restore peace in the region.

However, Premier Gilani said, “There is no such plan to launch a Swat or Malakand-like operation. That is wrong. It is for the provincial government to take decisions about their province.” He was speaking to a group of newspaper editors and media persons at the Prime Minister House on Friday. Gilani said Interior Minister Rehman Malik has told him that he did not talk about any military operation in Balochistan. The premier said that the government was very sensitive about Balochistan. And the approval of a special Balochistan package was reflective of the government’s positive approach.  “We have also invited nationalist leaders for talks,” he maintained.

Asked if he intends to reshuffle the cabinet, Premier Gilani said that according to the Constitution (after the 18th constitutional amendment) he has to reduce the size of the cabinet before 2011.  As far as a reshuffle in the cabinet is concerned, he said, the matter could be taken up at the PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).

The prime minister said his government is focusing on the rehabilitation of hundreds of thousands of people affected by the recent catastrophic floods in the country. “We are receiving donations not only from the  international community but also from local donors,” he said.

He added that the global community has pledged $1 billion in donations, of which $300 million have been paid. The prime minister promised complete transparency in the utilization of the aid. “The whole process will be monitored by the National Disaster Oversight Management Council,” he added.

Gilani played down the fact that political temperature is rising in the country, saying that all irritants with political parties would be resolved through dialogue.

Referring to the devastating floods, Gilani said that the country is passing through a difficult time and political parties, media and civil society should help the government to steer the country out of the crisis.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2010.