Balochistan package cosmetic arrangement of issues: PML-N

By Rana Kashif

LAHORE: Announcements made under the Balochistan package are just a cosmetic arrangement of abstract resolves to the issues of the defocused province, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif said on Thursday.

He said the package announced by the government was insufficient and the government would have to go a long way to resolve the problems of the Baloch, as the task required serious efforts.

Separately, PML-N sources told Daily Times that the party leadership was not happy over the package announced during the joint session of parliament on Wednesday.

They said the leadership believed that the situation would lead to devastating circumstances in case the government did not make efforts in an earnest manner.

To a question, Asif said although the suggestions forwarded by the PML-N had been kept in view while planning the Balochistan package, it would take more than just an announcement to address the grievances of the Baloch.

The government announced to form a commission on Nawab Akbar Bugti’s killing, but a commission was also made regarding Liaqat Ali Khan’s murder, he said, adding that the government was not willing to take stern action against former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf. “What is the use of a package on which the Balochistan chief minister and Baloch parliamentarians have shown dissatisfaction?” he said.

The PML-N leader said the Gwadar Port, gas and various other projects of Balochistan needed to be settled in an earnest manner to provide relief to the Baloch.

Concerning the withdrawal of forces from Balochistan, he said the force had been sent there four times. “Earlier, the people of Balochistan were incited to raise arms, and now so-called efforts are being made to pacify them,” he said.