Promoting peace: Barozai calls for unity against terrorism

Hundreds of engineers refuse to perform election duties over security threats in Balochistan.

QUETTA:

Caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai said on Monday that all nations and tribes should promote peace and brotherhood in the province.

Following a meeting with a delegation of union councils, the chief minister said that whether we belonged to a particular tribe or nation, we are all united. “Whoever has been affected by terrorism, we share their sorrow and have sympathy with them. We all have to defeat terrorist with unity,” he said.

He added that unfortunately during the last few years, sectarian violence in the province has increased, particularly in Quetta, and has ruthlessly harmed the province.

Chief Secretary Baber Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durani and Deputy Commissioner Abdul Saboor Kakar were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the caretaker chief minister also met a delegation of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA). The PMA pointed out the recent kidnapping of DrMubashir Hassan from Chaman and demanded his safe recovery.

Engineers’ association announces boycott

Amidst surging attacks on politicians and their supporters by outlawed Baloch insurgent groups, engineers of Balochistan have decided to stay away from the May 11 elections.

Balochistan Engineers Association (BEA) General Secretary Ghulam Sarwar said engineers working across the province were receiving threats from banned outfits.  “Hundreds of engineers from across the province, mainly from Kalat and Mekran divisions, have contacted the BEA over their reluctance to perform election duty on May 11,” he said.

Sarwar said that the BEA would write an official apology to the Balochistan chief secretary on his return from a visit to rural areas of the province. “The government could provide security to government employees on May 11 but who will guarantee security for their lives after the elections,” he pointed out.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2013.