July 15, 2003	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1424

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QUETTA, July 14: Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousuf told newsmen on Monday that the province had asked the federal government to provide 1,000 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary that would work under the police department to maintain law and order situation in the province, especially in Quetta.

After a meeting on Monday with Federal Interior Minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, the chief minister said he had discussed with the minister the incidents of June 8, and July 4. Firing at the Sui gas pipe line in Dera bugti area also came under the discussion, he added.

Replying to a question, the chief minister said he had held talks with Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti on the incidents of firing at the gas pipe line and Mr Bugti assured that he would discuss the issue with the tribesmen concerned.

About the progress report on the Quetta killings, the chief minister said he would be briefed on it in two or three days.

When asked as to why the provincial government needed 1,000 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary, Jam Yousuf said the law and order situation had deteriorated and the provincial government wanted to deploy the federal force in city areas.

He said the federal government also wanted to withdraw the Frontier Corps from the Chamalang area where the security forces were confronted with landmine blasts.