‘Balochistan being pushed into dark ages’

Elements involved in target killings of teachers are pushing province into dark ages, says CM Balochistan.

QUETTA: Elements involved in targeted killings of teachers in Balochistan are pushing the province into the dark ages, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani said on Monday.

Speaking at a function to grant financial assistance of Rs10 million among 400 flood-hit families, Raisani blamed foreign elements for creating law and order situation by targeted killings and supporting the so-called resistance movement.

“The assassins are destroying our and the next generation’s future. I urge all political leaders, Baloch people and the concerned (quarters) to foil this evil design, otherwise our future generation will not forgive us,” he said. He said that some elements were “deceptively recruiting Baloch youth into the resistance movement at the behest of foreign forces. “They are not serving anyone, but are actually destroying the future of the Baloch people.”

Criticising elements encouraging the youth to kill hair dressers, common labourers and such poor people, the CM said that they are not serving the people. “They...are disturbing the traditional peace and public order by resorting to targeted killings of...innocent people belonging to other ethnic groups,” he said.

Stressing the need for brotherhood, he said that only peace can bring prosperity and progress in Balochistan, adding that all sections of the society will have to play a positive role in defending peace and tranquility.

The chief minister said that people exhorting others in the name of nationalism were insincere. He said he was first and foremost a Pakistani and a proud to be patriotic. Revenue receipts of the provincial government had doubled as a result of the “just NFC Award” which is unprecedented in the history of Balochistan, he added

He called upon the youth to join the civil service, army and defence forces for defending the legitimate rights of the people of Balochistan.

He said that 5,000 people had been provided jobs and he had sought assurances from the prime minister for securing 20,000 more jobs for local people in the Gwadar Port project.

The CM announced the establishment of an Intermediate college at Mithari, basic health units at Bheri and Kolachi and Rs20 million for local development funds, 8,000 bulldozer hours and Rs100 million for building roads connecting Bala Nari and Kachhi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2010.