According to sources privy to the conversation, Ashraf did not issue the directions in a friendly manner – he literally grilled Raisani. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Incensed by Thursday’s bloodbath in Quetta, Premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf directed Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani on Saturday to immediately return to Pakistan.
According to sources privy to the conversation, “The premier did not issue the directions in a friendly manner – he literally grilled him (Raisani),” a source told The Express Tribune.
“The prime minister asked Raisani if he had any idea what had happened in Quetta in the last couple of days while he was holidaying abroad,” the source said, adding that the prime minister directed him to immediately join a team of federal ministers to address the volatile security situation.
Premier Ashraf issued the orders in a meeting with Interior Minister Rehman Malik in Islamabad. According to sources, Malik said the absence of key provincial government officials and lack of coordination between the federal and provincial governments had worsened the situation in Balochistan.
Separately, the premier also directed the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) to assist the civil administration in restoring order. Ashraf also announced Rs1 million compensation for the heirs of each victim of Thursday’s blasts and Rs0.1 million each for the injured.
The prime minister also scheduled a meeting with Hazara community leaders next week to address their grievances, while he also scheduled to meet Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira today to discuss the security situation in Balochistan.
Meanwhile, President Asif Zardari directed the authorities to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders in Balochistan to restore peace in the province. During a meeting at Bilawal House in Karachi, Zardari reportedly formed a six-member committee, led by Premier Ashraf, to ensure better coordination between the federal and provincial governments.
The committee will visit Balochistan within a week to meet Baloch nationalists, religious and political forces. Bilawal House spokesman Jameel Soomro, however, was not aware of any such meeting while Senator Farhatullah Babar did not respond to his phone despite repeated attempts.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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Oh thats so sad, vacation cancelled? how unfair.
How about the hundreds of families losing a breadwinner , father , son brother , mother etc. where is humanity in this land of the pure? how can people be killed inhumanly on the basis of religion. How does the govt do nothing about this?
This is the FIRST TIME that PPP's Prime Minister dared fly to Quetta. After numerous hearings in MISSING PERSONS CASE and TARGET KILLINGS Case, the Supreme Court had observed in October 2012 that the provincial government of Balochistan has Lost its right of Governance. But the Government kept hurrying it's head in sand!!
The most incompetent man in pakistani politics, Aslam Raisani. Elected by rigging, the guy no sense of government is run, either he is in Islamabad with his younger wife, or in Dubai. The Governor himself, Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, have had clashes repeated times with the CM on numerous issues. Governor sahab is trying his best, he also canceled the inauguration ceremony of Jhal Magsi desert Challange, and went to the victims straight. He has told that he has been given no power by the government to direct the authorities. Hope the situation gets better. condolences to the shia community
What is the sense of retaining the Chief Minister of Baluchistan when he does not feel responsible in returning back to Quetta on his own after hearing/reading the news of triple blasts in Quetta.
Why the Prime Minister should ask him to come back to Quetta and resume his responsibility.
But one thing is clear,he is much better then his predecesser,by the way most power is with provinces
Dear PM, it took 3 days for you to travel to Quetta? Shame
Shame on both One for still being CM and other on still keeping him on that position.
Huh.... As this is going to effect
Offering compensation will not bring the dead back. They want justice and peace not your money and promises!
Islamabad gives provinces virtually no power, and then when something horrible happens in Balochistan, it blames the provincial governor. So the PM has found a great scapegoat. If the governor was holidaying, the PM was not. Did the PM do anything to foil the conspiracy to commit this horrible carnage? Pakistan has serious crisis of values, and it is not the fault of the governor. Islamabad needs to uproot bigotry, not pretend that it is solving the problem by summon a governor for an urgent meeting. By the way, governor is not a province's chief executive; it's the chief minister. Why not summon the chief minister? Or since the prime minister, like his predecessor, has surrendered all executive powers to the president, does he think that chief ministers have also surrendered their powers to their respective governor? Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
With leader's like Raisani leading Balochistan, no wonder it has turned into a burning furnace. These very Baloch leaders cry for freedom and when they are in power, they prefer living a life of total luxury and ignorance. Is this the sort of democracy Pakistanis want? At least the Kayani goes to visit the troops to boost their morale, this Raisani cannot even stay in Quetta. Most of the times he's trotting between Islamabad and Karachi. And considering the sort of character our politicians have, he will neither resign nor will he be fired. Give us marshal law!!!
oh finally Raja summons shameless Raisani, only took two days after the horrible incident, this took this long for Raja while he was busy flying back and forth ISB/KHI to save "democracy" twice daily
why come back he should settle premently we dont, want him here
The man is a disgrace to the Nation and his own province he should be sacked... Immediately
Let me guess, these guys in government are now realizing how badly they've messed up. I hope our short-term public will remember this 2 months from now in the elections. Also, I am 95% sure, these announced monetary compensations will probably never reach the families.
PM should move to Quetta for a month or so to make others act!