Full text of PM’s speech on Balochistan

ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: Following is the English rendering of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani’s address to the Joint Sitting of the Parliament on “AGHAZ-E-HAQOOQ-E-BALOCHISTAN” on Wednesday

(December 09, 2009):

TEXT BEGINS

“Honourable Chairman,

Today is an epoch making day for me and my companions and we feel immensely delighted and satisfied because today we are fulfilling our pledge with the people, especially the people of Balochistan. I assure you that we would employ all our resources to solve all their problems and hardships. We will surmount all obstacles in removing their sense of deprivation and bring them into the national mainstream.

We went through many phases to translate our pledge into reality. It was not an easy undertaking to resolve the problems which remained neglected for 62 years. We have made an earnest effort not only to solve these problems realistically but also to put in place such measures which will prevent the recurrence of these difficulties in the future. We have made a headway towards tackling these problems as well as taken steps to eliminate their causes.

When we started serving the masses after their mandate, we had at the outset made it clear that we would atone for the past injustices perpetrated on the smaller provinces. We laid a solid foundation to achieve this objective and my colleagues ably assisted me in this task. I also benefitted from the cooperation and guidance of the parliament and political stalwarts including PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, Altaf Hussain, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Asfand Yar Wali, Pir Pagaro, leaders from FATA and leaders of different political parties

of Balochistan.

Taking the nation into confidence I want to admit that it was an arduous journey and I am grateful to the Almighty that I have been able to take this national duty to its logical end.

It was the pleasant outcome of these collective endeavours that we presented “AGHAZ-E-HAQOOQ-E-BALUCHISTAN” Package in this august house on 24th November, the details of which are well know to the people. A testimony to our seriousness and sincerity in this regard can be gauged from the fact that within less than two weeks we have started implementing it.

God willing, people will acknowledge the sterling contributions made by the architects of “AGHAZ-E-HAQOOQ-E-BALUCHISTAN” to promote greater national interest and prosperity of the masses. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my

colleagues, political leaders and all the parliamentarians and pray to the Almighty to reward their efforts in this regard.

Honourable Chairman,

A cursory glance at the thirty-nine recommendations of the “AGHAZ-E-HAQOOQ-E-BALUCHISTAN” would reveal that these recommendations envisage radical changes in the constitutional, political, administrative and economic affairs of Balochistan and

also provide a firm guarantee for an encouraging progress in this regard.

In regards to the constitutional matters the most prominent recommendation pertains to the provincial autonomy. I feel pleasure in announcing that the parliamentary committee is making satisfactory progress in this area and soon the parliament will be

taken into confidence.

In the political arena our government has taken concrete steps. We have decided to release all those political prisoners who were not involved in the heinous crimes. During the last one and a half years 83 such cases have been withdrawn and after my announcement today another 89 cases will be taken back.

We have never hesitated to hold dialogue with any stakeholder, rather our political thinking and actions are a testimony to the fact that we believe in reconciliation to resolve the political issues. We are ever ready to hold parleys with the exiled political leaders and workers. We believe that they will adopt the peaceful and democratic stance and accept our invitation for a dialogue. I am prepared to visit the homes of elderly politicians to pave the way for political reconciliation.

I will also urge the estranged youth to join the national mainstream. We have already started implementing the unanimous resolutions passed by the Balochistan Assembly since 2002 and the concerned departments are taking necessary measures in this regards.

We have also decided to review the role of the federal agencies in the administrative affairs of the province. In Balochistan FC will replace the army and on my orders today the army has been immediately withdrawn from Kohlu. A necessary notification has also been issued by the Ministry of Interior. Similarly I have also issued instructions to replace army by FC in Sui. In this regard actions have been initiated to create three wings of the FC which will take up these responsibilities.

The youth of Balochistan will be provided employment in these agencies. In conformity with the aspirations of the people of Balochistan and with a view to facilitate them, the border at Mund has been reopened and necessary notification has also been issued.

I also announce to abolish seven check posts including Uthal, Lehri, Dera Allah Yar, Sheela Bagh, Gawal Islam Zai, Zero Point Turbat Coastal Highway and Sheikh Wasil immediately.

Through this august house I would like to invite the attention of the countrymen to the fact that when we assumed power we were told that the number of the missing persons was six to eight thousand. When we investigated this claim through the Ministry of

Interior it was revealed that the actual number of the missing persons was nine hundred ninety two (992). I am delighted to announce that out of these two sixty two (262) persons have returned to their homes.

I assure that the remaining innocent persons, God willing, will also soon return to their near and dear ones. We have asked the Balochistan government to publicize the names of these persons through media so that the incomplete antecedents of these persons can be completed. Believe you me, the clouds of darkness and despair will not be able to hang around for long. We will soon see the dawn of peoples power, truthfulness of democracy and ascendancy of the constitution.

We are also determined to unravel the circumstances leading to the murders of the political workers like Balach Murri, Ghulam Muhammad, Lala Munir and Munir Ahmed as well as the eminent Baloch and political leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and necessary action has already been initiated. Similarly the policy to convert the B areas into A is also under review. Steps are also in the offing to put FC under the control of Chief Minister, Balochistan.

I have directed to provide Rs. One Billion for the flood affected people. A similar amount has already been released for the re-habilitation of the IDPs of Dera Bugti”.