Drone attacks in Balochistan can’t be opposed: Magsi

* Balochistan governor says Washington can do ‘whatever it pleases’ because ‘it’s paying’ Pakistan

By Malik Siraj Akbar

QUETTA: Pakistan cannot oppose US drone strikes in Balochistan as Washington can do “whatever it pleases” because it is “paying money” to the country, Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsi said on Saturday.

Talking to reporters after chairing a seminar at a local hotel, Magsi said Pakistan did not have an option in the matter. “You cannot oppose someone who pays you money. The US is paying money to Pakistan. How can we oppose it? It will do whatever it pleases,” the governor said.

Magsi said lawlessness was no longer a Balochistan-specific issue, as the whole country was facing a deteriorating law and order situation.

The Balochistan governor said the reforms package offered by the Centre to Balochistan was being regarded as “charity” across the province and was unlikely to address the actual grievances of the people of Balochistan.

He said the situation in the province could only be resolved through the grant of maximum provincial autonomy and the province’s control over its own natural resources. “Balochistan has never asked the federal government to provide it with a package. A package is viewed by the people of the province as charity given to them, which is not a solution to their problems. Balochistan’s problem is related to provincial autonomy and control over natural resources,” the governor said.

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