ISLAMABAD, 4 February 2006 — Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf is willing to meet tribal chiefs of Balochistan to bring peace and prosperity to the troubled region, sources said.
Musharraf said here yesterday, “I am ready to meet those tribal chiefs of Balochistan who have become rebel to the federal authority.”
“In order to bring about peace and security to common citizens I will never hesitate to meet those tribal chiefs who are attacking securitymen and vital installations,” Musharraf said.
He said he will go extra miles to listen to their grievances, if there are any.
Musharraf was referring to two tribal chiefs namely Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Nawab Khair Bux Marri. Tribes of Bugti and Marri remained restive for last several months.Armed Bugti-Marri militants have been attacking posts and convoys of the Frontier Corps. They also fire rockets at vital government installations in Dera Bugti, Sui, Kohlu, Wadh and Naal.
Musharraf said,”Our government is developing the province of Balochistan. We have initiated construction the Gawadar Port which will enable Afghanistan, central Asian republics and China to open their trade outlets for the Middle Eastern countries.”
He said for last several decades the tribal chiefs of Balochistan did not allow development in the region and do not allow their people to get education.
“We have allocated billions of rupees for the development of Balochistan. We want to provide education and health care to the people and generate more jobs for the people of Balochistan,” Musharraf said.
Bomb Explodes
Meanwhile a bomb exploded yesterday near the home of a government official supervising operations against tribal militants in southwestern Pakistan, officials said, adding that the blast damaged a wall and his kitchen but caused no injuries.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the predawn attack apparently targeting Abdul Samad Lasi’s house in Hab, a town 700 km southeast of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. The region’s police chief, Pervez Zahoor, said authorities were investigating. Lasi blamed a renegade tribal elder for the attack.
