Musharraf targets India for Balochistan unrest

QUETTA (Agencies) - Launching a fresh salvo against India, President Pervez Musharraf on Monday blamed the neighbouring country for unrest in Balochistan, reports Outlook.

Addressing a gathering of ministers and top officials in the Governor's House in Quetta, Musharraf said India was behind the unrest in Balochistan.

India is providing arms and material support to those involved in violence in Balochistan, Musharraf was quoted as saying by TV news channels.

The President's comments came in the wake of a war of words between India and Pakistan on the suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul, which New Delhi has blamed on Islamabad-based Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

Musharraf said some elements wanted law and order to deteriorate in Balochistan because they did not want development in the province.

The government, he said, is determined to maintain peace in the province so that Balochistan could be brought at par with other parts of the country.

The President condemned recent instances of targeted killings in Quetta and expressed concern at the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan.

He said that special attention was being paid for the development of Balochistan to bring it at par with the developed parts of the country.

Talking to a delegation of Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, he said that a lot of investment had been made in the province during past several years. He said that coastal highway, Gwadar deep sea ports, Merani dam and Subakzai dam had been completed and were providing fruits to the people.

He said electricity would be provided to coastal areas of Balochistan from Iran. He said that increase in prices of food items, eatable oil and petroleum had brought negative impact on our economy. He said a special programme was in progress to train youths from Balochistan in different trades. So far thousands of youths have been trained and provided jobs, he said.

Earlier, President of the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries Muhammad Anwar Jaffar briefed the president about problems of Balochistan regarding agriculture, industry, water supply, irrigation, power and transportation.

A delegation of tribal elders of Balochistan also called on the President and informed him about the problems confronting in the province specially waiving of the agriculture loans. Talking to the delegation, the President assured to resolve these problems.

Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi also called on the President and discussed with him matters relating to development of Balochistan.

Musharraf said that the country's economy was on a downslide because of the capital flight and unsatisfactory law and order situation in the country.

The President said that the elected government was making efforts to overcome the challenges faced by the country internally and externally. He said that hike in prices of oil, wheat and edible oil in theinternational market was a serious challenge because of negative impact on the economy of the country. The President stressed the need for measures to stop capital outflow and encourage inflow of money in the form of foreign investment. He said that peace in the country could rebuild the trust of foreign investors.

Earlier, the business community informed the President of negative impact of increase in the rate of bank interest and demanded construction of roads and small dams in the province.

They mentioned the benefits of the mega projects in various parts of the province and said that the government must focus on constructing more dams in Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Kalat and Mastung areas.

The delegation demanded extension of Trickle Irrigation System to other districts, waiver of gricultural loans as announced by the President during his previous visit to Balochistan, an end to power load-shedding, establishment of apple treatment plant and Bostan Industrial Zone in Balochistan, proper representation for the traders of the province in foreign delegations and exhibitions, establishment of an Expo Center in Quetta, Up-gradation of Trade Development Authority and measures for expediting construction work on various highways in Balochistan.

The President assured his full support to the business community.

He prayed for the success of the coalition government in the Centre and the province and said he would work happily with all those who work for development and prosperity of the country and Balochistan. He underlined the importance of Kachi Canal Mirani and Sabakzai dams and said that these projects would irrigate more than 0.8 million acres of land.

The President expressed disappointment over delay in completion of road projects and mismanagement of funds in Quetta Water Supply Scheme and said that these projects must be completed within stipulated time.