QUETTA, July 7: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf has offered to hold talks with nationalist parties on their apprehensions and reservations regarding mega projects, including the Gwadar Port.

"Negotiations are the only way to resolve political issues," he said while addressing a team of under-training officers of the Civil Service Academy, Lahore, here on Wednesday.

Although objections of the opposition parties were not correct, "I am ready to hold negotiations with nationalist parties on development issues," the chief minister said. He advised the nationalist parties to abandon their policy of confrontation and come onto the negotiation table.

"We believe in adopting a democratic and political attitude and are ready to listen to the point of view of nationalist parties," the chief minister said. He said that as far as the rights and interests of the people of Pakistan and Balochistan were concerned he and his government would not compromise on them and make all possible efforts to protect them.

"I will not compromise on the rights and interests of the people," he declared, adding that all the hurdles in the way of development of Balochistan would be removed. Jam Yousuf urged upon all tribes, political parties and people of all walks of life to join hands with the government for the development of their province.

He said that first priority must be given to the interests of Pakistan as it was a source of our identity. The provinces would be strong only when the country was stable.

He said that he also wanted that rights of all the federating units be protected but there should be no politics of confrontation and all issues should be resolved through a continuous process of negotiations.

He deplored that some elements had not yet accepted the existence of Pakistan. "Our survival is with Pakistan," he remarked. He dispelled the impression that with the construction of Gwadar port the local population would be converted into a minority. He described it as a baseless propaganda.

As for the establishment of new cantonments, he said the army "can set up such cantonments anywhere in the country." The Balochistan chief minister alleged that the previous government had done nothing to bring "our backward province" at par with other developed areas of the country.

He said that President Pervez Musharraf had given full attention to the uplift of the province and launched mega projects like Gwadar Port. In the past, he said, people had planned to sold out Gwadar people's interests while this government was doing its utmost to ensure protection of their rights.