CM Raisani assures UN agencies of foolproof security

The Baloch Hal News

QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad AslamRaisani, has said the government had made elaborate arrangements for the security of UN and other international organisations engaged in development, relief and humanitarian assistance in Balochistan.

Nawab Raisani expressed these views while talking to a 3-member team of UN security officials that called on him here Wednesday. The team was headed by Yvan Sturm, Area Security Coordinator for UN Department of Safety and Security Pakistan – Balochistan region and included Yuri Doubograi, field security coordination officer and Ghulam Raza, UN local security assistant.

The delegation had called on the Chief Minister in the wake of threatening calls received to ICRC and few other international bodies based in Balochistan. Talking to the delegation Nawab Aslam Raisani categorically maintained that all international agencies and NGOs, which are operating in the province in uplift activities and relief and humanitarian assistance projects, would be provided with foolproof security cover.

Nawab Raisani said that after the abduction of UNHCR official John Solecki and the murder of his driver in on February 2, 2009 the Balochistan government had revisited its plan for extending security assistance to national and international agencies serving in the province.

The Chief Minister had taken serious notice of the messages sent to UN and other international agencies through telephone and via media threatening them to stop operations in and pack up from Balochistan.

The Chief Minister directed Secretary Home, Capt Akbar Durrani and Provincial Police Officer, Muhammad Akbar Arain present during the meeting to fine-tune the security measures and ensure optimum guarantee of the life and property of international agencies. He also directed all the law enforcement agencies to work in close collaboration with the UN and other international agencies.

“The foreign workers engaged in relief, development and other human assistance operations in the province are our guests and therefore discharge their duties with peace of mind,” Nawab Raisani said. Chief Minister lauded the efforts of these organisations serving the humanity in distant and remote areas such as Balochistan. “Our cherished traditions demand that we respect and protect our guests,” Nawab Raisani added.

During the meeting different options were discussed for the maximum security of international agencies. It was agreed in principle that in future a central place would be earmarked on the pattern of Islamabad diplomatic enclave where all such organisations would establish offices. For this purpose a joint team comprising UN officials, provincial home department, board of revenue and the police would suggest for a suitable site.

The UN security team expressed its gratitude to the Balochistan government for taking concrete measures and extending cooperation to the international relief organisations.