ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani hinted on Thursday that he is in contact with estranged Baloch leaders living abroad, and said he wants “meaningful” dialogue with them for the resolution of their problems in line with the constitution.
“I want meaningful dialogue with the leaders living abroad. This is a golden opportunity. This is your own country. Come back and contribute to its progress. We are ready to discuss anything under the constitution,” said Gilani in a message to rebel Baloch leaders while addressing a press conference on the ‘Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan’ package. However, he said he did not want to disclose “prematurely” the names of the Baloch leaders he was in contact with.
The prime minister dispelled the impression that the Balochistan package could be accepted or rejected by parliament. “This is not a package. It is a way forward. We have tabled it at the highest forum – a joint sitting of parliament – to get more feedback from other parties to finetune it further ... [it has not been tabled] to accept or reject it,” he said.
The prime minister said that he had formed a cabinet committee to expedite the implementation and monitoring of recommendations in the package. “These recommendations have been prepared after taking all the stakeholders on board,” he said.
He said he had appointed an establishment secretary for Balochsitan, and hoped that the recruitment of Baloch students would begin after Eid.
Gilani said due to the government efforts, the missing persons from the province would start returning to their homes today. “Many missing persons were recovered within two to three days of the promulgation of the package,” he added.
He also asked them to take advantage of the present opportunity of holding dialogue with the government, as they may never get such an environment of reconciliation again. In reply to a question, he said he was in contact with many Baloch leaders and it was premature to say anything about it.
When asked whether banned outfits like the BLA and other groups would also be taken on board for dialogue, he said it was clearly mentioned in the package that dialogue would be held with all except those who were involved in heinous crimes and terrorist activities.
The prime minister indicated his government would welcome Nawaz Sharif and other national leaders as mediators for the resolution of the problems of Balochistan. “We will remove the trust deficit,” he added.
Gilani said the situation in Afghanistan directly affected Pakistan, and “that’s why I asked the US to take Pakistan into confidence over its new Afghan policy”.
“The proposed US troop surge in Helmand province of Afghanistan – which borders Balochistan – will certainly have an impact on Balochistan ... more US troops in Helmand can trigger an influx of refugees as well as militants into Balochistan,” he said.
According to a private TV channel, Gilani said a reshuffle in the federal cabinet would be made after Eid.
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