Govt making efforts to rehabilitate internally displaced Bugti tribesmen: PM

PM approves Rs5 billion in the first phase for the development of roads and sewage facilities in Quetta

QUETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced on Thursday that the government is making efforts to rehabilitate the internally displaced Bugti tribesmen in Dera Bugti.

The premier made the announcement while speaking to the media outside Bugti house in Quetta. PM Nawaz offered Fateha prayers for wife of Nawab Akbar Bugti. The son of the deceased, Talal Bugti, thanked him for his visit.

“We have always had good relations with the Bugti family and would like to further strengthen our relationship with them" the premier said.

He added that Talal has expressed confidence in the government and armed forces.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Bugti's family would be consulted by the government to seek guidance in relation to the rehabilitation of Bugti tribesmen.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved a sum of Rs5 billion in the first phase for the development of roads and sewage facilities in Quetta.

Further, he approved the construction of Sibbi-Hernai Railway track and directed that funding should be arranged for LPG terminals in renaming 22 districts of Balochistan.

The premier also directed that a study should be conducted within 90 days for building water reservoirs and for improving canal distribution system so the province can make optimum use of available water resources.

Talal, while addressing the media, said the prime minister has assured him that the government would address the issues of Balochistan.

Thousands of Bugti families were displaced during a military operation carried out in Dera Bugti in 2005, ordered by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. Nawab Bugti was assassinated during the operation.

The exact numbers of IDPs are disputed as some say there are 200,000 while other claim there are 150,000. Government officials, on the other hand, have quoted a much lesser number.

The IDPs have been living in different parts of Pakistan since 2005 and no measures have been properly taken to rehabilitate the suffering families.