News
Saturday, May 03, 2008
PM orders release of Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal: Gillani urges militants to shun violence, hold talks
* Reiterates commitment to ending Balochistan military operation
QUETTA: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani on Friday again offered to talk to those militants who are willing to lay down arms and renounce violence, saying the government would not tolerate extremism and terrorism. While addressing the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry during his maiden visit to Quetta, the prime minister said terrorism was a serious threat to peace, security and stability of the country and the region. “I appeal to all extremists to renounce violence and be a part of the democratic process. We are ready to talk to all those who wish to leave this path,” Gillani said. Addressing the Balochistan cabinet at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Gillani directed the federal and provincial governments to withdraw all cases against Balochistan’s detained former chief minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal in order to pave the way for a proposed all parties conference (APC) on Balochistan. He reiterated the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) commitment to the resolution of Balochistan’s issues. “We want to see Sardar Mengal released as soon as possible,” Gillani said, adding that he had asked Rehman Malik, the federal minister for interior affairs, to ensure the recovery of the missing persons. The Balochistan government had earlier decided to withdraw all the cases, including those of sedition, against Mengal. But he is still in jail due to his involvement in a Sindh government case in which he is charged with having manhandled two Military Intelligence personnel. No military operation: “We are committed to our promises of providing provincial autonomy to the provinces and ending the military operation in the province,” he said. He said the proposed APC on Balochistan would also address the issue of converting the ‘A’ areas to ‘B’ areas. Gillani said he had asked the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) to provide 100,000 tonnes of wheat to Balochistan. The Sindh government will provide another 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Balochistan, he added. staff report/app
Courtesy Daily Times