PM offers reconciliation to estranged brothers in Balochistan

PM offers reconciliation to estranged brothers in Balochistan

Updated at: 2328 PST, Tuesday, November 24, 2009 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday offered reconciliation to estranged segments in Balochistan. “We offer them reconciliation through the Parliament. I extend the hand of reconciliation to our estranged brothers, “ he said in a speech in the National Assembly on Aghaaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan. “We want to resolve their grievances through this Parliament.” The Prime Minister hoped that the “estranged brothers’ will respond positively by keeping aloof their differences in order to make the country democratically strong. “Today’s sitting is very important as a package is being presented to the House for development of the largest province,” he added. The Prime Minister said announcement of the Aghaaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan would not only ensure political, social and economic rights to the province but also once again establish the supremacy of the parliament. He appreciated the role of all political parties in preparation of the consensus package. Prime Minister Gilani said PPP has always confronted the atrocities and subjugation of dictatorial regimes. “Our party believes that injustices done during the dictatorial regimes weaken the federation.” He said, “soon after the coalition government assumed power in February 2008, we apologized to the Balochistan people and assured them compensation for injustices of the past.” The Prime Minister said the government is pursuing the policy of national reconciliation as it believes that so long as provinces are not strong the federation cannot be strong. He also mentioned marathon consultation conducted with political leadership across the board including PML-N, PML-Q, ANP, JUI, MQM, BNP and other political parties, for finalizing the package. He eulogized the Committee headed by Senator Raza Rabbani and comprising Federal Ministers Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Syed Naveed Qamar, Syed Khursheed Shah, Dr Babar Awan and Senator Lashkari Raisani for burning midnight oil to prepare the package. The Prime Minister said, after the committee finalized recommendations, meetings were held with Governor and Chief Minister Balochistan, members from Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assembly and other political leaders from the province. He said the package is a ‘positive and determined step towards right direction. It will usher in an era of progress and prosperity.’ “It will usher in an era where there will be no subjugation but justice; where there will be no terrorism but peace; where there will be no illiteracy but education and where there will be no desperation but hope,” he added. He said the brethren from Balochistan will no more be haunted by oppression but will see a new and pleasant dawn. Elaborating on the government steps so far, he said cases were withdrawn against the Balochistan political workers, missing persons were recovered, Rs. 17.5 billion state bank loan outstanding against the province has been owned by the federal government, PSDP amount has been increased to Rs 50 billion from previous Rs 42 billion, Rs 21 billion lapsed during last fiscal have been re-allocated for the current fiscal. He said Rs 9 billion Balochistan package has also been announced in addition to these measures. The Prime Minister said, “we are on way to promoting an atmosphere of reconciliation according to wishes of all political parties and once again invite the resented brothers to dialogue to resolve the irritants.”