September 5, 2003	Friday	Rajab 7, 1424

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QUETTA, Sept 4: Around 2,600 men of the Frontier Constabulary would take over security of important government installations and places in the provincial capital and help maintain law and order, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf said on Thursday.

Talking to newsmen at Chief Minister’s House, he said: “Nineteen platoons of the Frontier Constabulary are reaching Quetta from the NWFP in a few days on the request of the provincial government to help in improving law and order.” Replying to a question, he said the force would work under Balochistan police.

He said the Frontier Constabulary would remain here and in some other parts of the province to relieve the police and the Frontier Corps from security duty on government installations and important places, including governor’s and chief minister’s houses.

The chief minister said the Frontier Corps authorities had requested the provincial government to relieve the force from patrolling and law and order duties so it had decided to get the services of the Frontier Constabulary.

He said that with taking over of security of government installations and other places by the Frontier Constabulary, a large number of policemen would also be spared for deployment in the provincial capital for maintaining law and order.

“Presently, we are facing shortage of police force in Quetta and other areas,” Jam Yousuf said.

Replying to a question, he said the federal government had agreed to provide Rs1 billion for the formation of the Balochistan constabulary and 3,000 people would be recruited for the force this year.

He the force would comprise 10,000 people and it would be completed in three years.

The chief minister said maintenance of law and order was the top priority of his government and all possible steps would be taken in this connection. “No body would be allowed to take the law in his hands,” he said.

He denied claims by some parties about launching of military operations in Sui, Chamalang, Kohlu and Jhawalan.

However, he said, the government would take steps against those involved in firing rockets and bursting gas pipelines in Kohlu and Sui.

Referring the Chamalang area’s issue, the chief minister said efforts were under way for resolving it through tribal traditions and the influence of spiritual leaders.

About the establishment of cantonments in Sui and other areas, he said Balochistan was a part of Pakistan and cantonments could be established anywhere in the province. However, he said: “I am not aware of any plan about establishment of new cantonments in Sui, Gwadar or any other area of Balochistan.”

He said the Gwadar Development Authority would start functioning soon and the name of former additional chief secretary Ahmed Bukhsh Lehri was under consideration for its chairman.

He said those people would be made members of the authority’s governing body who could play a role in brining investors to Gwadar.

He said the people of Gwadar were happy over development in their area and they were selling their lands.

However, they had some reservations about their rights, which would be protected by the government, he said.

He said the Gwadar master plan would be revised.

He said the province would benefit from the construction of the Kalabagh dam, but it would follow the decision of Sindh in this connection.