Talks to bring development, peace to Balochistan: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for enhancing capacity of the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs), posting of competent officers in Balochistan and improving the prosecution mechanism to effectively counter terrorist elements in the province. 

He said political dialogue was the way forward to bring about prosperity, development and peace to Balochistan. Zardari was chairing a meeting in Gwadar on security and law and order situation in Balochistan on Thursday. Minister for Interior Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, MNA Malik Shah Gorgaij, Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langov, MPA Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, senior civil and military officials attended the meeting.

Zardari was briefed about the overall security situation of the province as well as the role of LEAs in successfully countering the terrorist attacks in various districts of Balochistan. He was informed that the provincial government had adopted a targeted approach to improve security and law and order situation in the province.

The meeting was told the initiatives taken by the LEAs had resulted in improving the security situation in the province. The president was informed that the provincial government was taking steps to provide fool-proof security to Chinese and foreign nationals.

The president appreciated efforts of the provincial government as well as the sacrifices of LEAs in combatting terrorism. He said the prosecution system needed to be improved so that terrorist elements could not escape justice. He said compensation for the families of martyrs of LEAs in Balochistan should be enhanced, bringing it at par with the rest of provinces.

The president said competent and brave police officials needed to be posted in Balochistan and that would help improve the law and order in the province. He also called for taking effective measures to ensure safety and security of Zaireen going to Iran.

Stressing the need to improve socio-economic conditions of Balochistan, President Zardari called for focusing on skill development of its people and producing more skilled professionals. He said the capacity of training institutions should be enhanced to produce more trained human resources and equip them with foreign language skills that would also help them find jobs in foreign countries.

President Zardari also called for promoting the fishing industry of Balochistan by providing financing and equipment to local fishermen, apart from promoting sustainable fishing practices and checking the production of illegal fishing nets.

The Balochistan chief minister thanked the president for visiting Gwadar, saying that it would give people a sense of ownership and help strengthen the resolve of LEAs to eliminate terrorism. He said the provincial government was according top priority to the capacity building of police and Levies.

He underlined the importance of equipping people residing in border areas of Balochistan with marketable skills to help them find employment in the country and abroad. He highlighted that all stakeholders needed to make collective efforts to stamp out terrorism, besides evolving a national consensus for the development of Balochistan.

The meeting also stressed the need for completing the Katchhi Canal project to meet the food requirements of the province.