PM proposes politicians body for talks with Balochs

ISLAMABAD - For bringing normalcy to the restive areas of Balochistan, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday proposed constitution of a committee having representation of all the political parties in the Parliament to hold talks with the estranged Baloch leadership for the purpose. Talking to Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Israrullah Zahri, who called on him at Prime Ministers House on Friday, the PM reiterated that his government would continue with the policy of reconciliation and expressed optimism that they would rope in the alienated Baloch leadership back in mainstream politics. The Prime Minister said that being an agrarian economy; the agriculture sector used to play an important role in the overall economic development of the country and stressed the need of taking revolutionary measures to give boost to this sector. The government, he said, was planning to benefit from the knowledge and technology and expertise of other countries for the training farmers. The Prime Minister said that the development of Balochistan greatly depend on the development of agriculture. He asked the Minister for Food & Agriculture to take all stakeholders on board and formulate a comprehensive programme to help the farmers of Balochistan. The Prime Minister said that the PPP Government was determined to reduce the sense of deprivation of our Baloch brothers. The Government, he added, started implementing agaz-e-haqooq-e-Balochistan. The requisite funds for the development projects are also being released to bring the province at par with other federating units, he added. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has given the additional charge of the Livestock Division to Mir Israrullah Zehri, Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture. The minister apprised the Prime Minister of various projects initiated by his ministry in flood-affected areas. He also discussed with him matters pertaining to his ministry.

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