Zardari for talks to resolve Balochistan issues

ISLAMABAD President Asif Ali Zardari has said that through re-writing the equation between the Federation and the Federating Units, PPP Government is successfully trying to undo the failures of past regimes and the neglect that the people of Balochistan have been subjected to in the past.
He was talking to a group of the elders from Balochistan who called on him at Awan-e-Sadr on Saturday.
The group comprised Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch of Balochistan National Movement (BNM), Nawab Muhammad Ayaz Khan Jogezai of Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Senator Abdul Rahim Khan Mandokhel (PkMAP), and former senator Akram Shah of PkMAP. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Babar Awan was also present during the meeting.
Matters related to Balochistan Empowerment Package, NFC Award, development of the province, law and order and political situation were discussed during the meeting.
President Zardari said equitable distribution of resources with special focus on the development of underdeveloped areas would help restore confidence of people of the provinces who felt deprived and marginalized.
He mentioned the salient features of Balochistan Empowerment Package and said the doors of negotiations for reconciliation in the province are open for all within the framework of the Federation.
He said that the process of negotiation would continue till the issues were amicably resolved. He also urged Baloch leaders to come forward and help resolve the issues, as the problems were too big.
The President said that plans had been prepared for building four dams in Balochistan. The state-owned command irrigation lands under these dams will be distributed free of cost among the poor women of the area, he said. The President also asked Dr. Babar Awan to hold a meeting with Baloch leaders on the question of construction of mega projects.
The elders congratulated the President for taking concrete steps to resolve the issues of the province through Balochistan Empowerment Package, amnesty to political leaders and the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
They said that as a democratically elected leader and the President, they would continue to support Asif Ali Zardari and the democratic government.
They said they would not tolerate any conspiracy against the President and the democratic dispensation and resist any attempt by anyone to destabilise the system.