October 7, 2003	Tuesday	Sha’aban 10, 1424

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QUETTA, Oct 6: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that no one will be allowed to undermine the integrity of Pakistan.

Speaking at a gathering comprising members of the Balochistan Assembly, provincial ministers, district Nazims and senior government official at the Governor’s House here on Monday, the president said Pakistan was not facing any external threat to its security and the defence forces were strong enough to counter any aggression.

The president spoke for about an hour and his speech covered issues relating to politics, economy, regional affairs, geo-strategic situation and Balochistan’s problems.

President Musharraf said anti-state elements would be dealt with an iron hand. Nobody would be allowed to play with the destiny of the country, he added.

“Pakistan will remain intact and all the provinces — Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and the NWFP — will remain part of Pakistan. We will remain together and united as long as I am in the command,” the president stated.

The president also took a serious note of the incidents of rocket-fire in the hilly areas of the province, and said those behind such acts were killing innocent people, targeting civilians, cities and roads.

President Musharraf conceded that Balochistan did not get a fair treatment in the past. It was denied its due rights, funds and resources, the president said.

Some people in the past committed excesses on the people of Balochistan, the president said, declaring that, “I apologise for the excesses perpetuated on the people of Balochistan.”

The president said various projects had been launched, including Gwadar port, coastal highway, Mirani dam, Kachhi canal and the Quetta water supply and sanitation project.

He said it would be ensured that in future Balochistan got more funds for development. All the genuine needs and requirements of Balochistan would be met on a priority basis, he added.

The president brushed aside the fears that people from other provinces would come in large numbers and occupy the land in Gwadar.

Gen Musharraf said Gwadar was a part of Balochistan and it would remain a part of Balochistan. No one was going to take it away from Balochistan, he declared.

He said that experts from China were working hard to build the Gwadar port and after its completion the port would be able to meet requirements of the entire region.

The president said that the development of Balochistan would also give a boost to tourism, industrialisation and attract foreign investment. Only economic development could create job opportunities for the local people, he added.

He said priority would be given to local people in jobs. “However, no compromise would be made on merit,” he declared. He said local people would be given necessary training for jobs. “We are not going to deprive the local people of their just rights. Their rights will be protected,” the president said.

He said there should be an improvement in the law and order situation. The police force was being revitalized and the Balochistan Constabulary was being raised to meet the future requirements.

The president strongly defended the local government system, saying that it was in the interest of the common people.

He deplored lack of progress made in oil and gas exploration in Balochistan and said due to the law and order situation foreign oil and gas companies were reluctant to come to Balochistan.