Balochistan situation: CM vows to hold LB polls despite time constraints

Dr Malik Baloch says govt working hard to resolve missing persons’ issue.

QUETTA:

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Malik said his government is sincere about holding local bodies’ elections in the province despite time constraints and law and order problems.

Talking to the media at Chief Minister Secretariat on Tuesday, Dr Malik said the media is much focused on Awaran where merely 21 nominations were filed while ignoring 31 other districts where more than 22,000 papers had been submitted. “Balochistan is going through a difficult situation and we are doing our best to hold elections. Balochistan will completely comply with the Supreme Court’s order and hold elections on time.”

He said the government is working hard to resolve the issues of missing persons and maintaining public order. “There are issues and it needs time to bring peace,” he said.

“Two high-profile kidnappings took place in Quetta. A renowned cardiologist Dr Munaf Tareen and a prominent political figure, ANP’s Arbab Zahir Kasi were kidnapped. Efforts are under way for their safe recovery,” he said but added that overall the law and order situation was comparatively improving.

The chief minister said police were given special commando training and similar plan for Balochistan Levies was under consideration to enhance their performance and professional capabilities to fight terrorists and insurgents.

“Police and indigenous forces are being trained to capably maintain law and order. It takes time but we are working on it,” the chief executive of the strife-ridden province said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2013.