International

Musharraf offers sops to Balochistan

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 10. Amid reports of growing insurgency in Balochistan, the Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, has promised to usher in a "new era of socio-economic progress" in the region through a holistic development approach.

Gen. Musharraf met MPs from the ruling party on Wednesday to take stock of the situation in the restive province and discuss measures contemplated to redress grievances of people and deal with "disruptionist elements."

The meeting came in the backdrop of hectic efforts by the ruling party to open a dialogue with the Baloch nationalists and to finalise a package to address their concerns.

Backward province

Balochistan, which accounts for over five million people and 43 per cent of Pakistan's landmass, is acknowledgedly the most backward province in the country.

In has of late witnessed many militant incidents essentially targeted against the government installations and forces by those claiming to be Baloch nationalists. The main gas plant of the country in the province had to be shut down for over a week after it was hit by a hail of rockets in the wake of alleged rape of a doctor.

The nationalists have accused the federal government of robbing the province its due and neglecting its people.

They have opposed the ongoing mega projects like construction of Gwadar and the proposal to set up three army cantonments in the province on the plea that it would only pave way for further "colonisation."

Projects

Gen. Musharraf on Wednesday said the development projects would usher in an era of socio-economic progress for the people and warned elements opposed to the projects.

He conceded that though Balochistan accounted for the bulk of gas supply in the country, the majority of people of the province had been deprived of gas.

He said his Government would ensure supply of natural gas to more cities and towns of Balochistan.

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