Sense of deprivation among Balochis on decline: Musharraf

QUETTA: President Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday that large projects being worked on across Balochistan were meant to develop the province.

Speaking at the passing out ceremony of the 40th batch of the Frontier Corps (FC) at Ghaza Band, the president said he had no hesitation in admitting that the sense of deprivation and discrimination existed between the Baloch.

“But this feeling has been declining ever since large development projects have been started in the province,” he said, adding that Balochistan’s progress was Pakistan’s progress and that billions of rupees were being offered to the province for development.

The president said Mirani and Sabakzai dams had been built, roads had been widened and the Gwadar-Ratodero section of the Coastal Highway had been constructed.

He said the Gwadar Port project would be completed by June next year and the port city would become a hub of economic activity in the region. He also said such projects would create better employment opportunities, reduce poverty and improve the socio-economic conditions of the locals.

He said the government would offer requisite funds for Balochistan’s development. However, the FC would have to maintain law and order because progress without peace was not possible, he added.

The Baloch should work with the government to fight miscreants opposed to the country and province’s progress and development, Musharraf said, adding, “We’re doing our best to restore peace in Balochistan and won’t compromise on it.” The president also said he was proud of the 1,752 Baloch recruits who were part of the FC’s passing out batch. He said about eight percent of FC personnel belonged to Balochistan and the number would go up to 20 percent. online

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