10 August 2004	Tuesday	23 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

QUETTA, Aug 9: Chief Minister Jam Yousuf has claimed that anti-development elements have established camps in Balochistan where they were providing training to outsiders for terrorist activities.

Speaking at a meeting of party workers in Mastung, some 50 km from here, he said that every camp was equipped with satellite phones, solar energy systems and other modern facilities.

"These elements were playing with the fate of the Baloch nation getting money from their masters sitting abroad, and these elements were enjoying a luxurious life as all facilities were available to them yet they did not want to see the people prosper," Jam Yousuf said.

He said that when the government takes action against such elements they call it an "operation" just to deceive the people. He said that in the past they also sent innocent people to the mountains through such activities. He said the anti- progressive elements have crossed the limits.

He said the opposition (against us) should give up its slogans of "Free Balochistan" and end anti-Pakistan feelings. He said they should not cast aspersions on the sincerity and honesty of purpose of his government about the rights of the province, as it was doing practical work for the welfare of the people.

In support of his claim the chief minister mentioned the example of the NFC Award where his government preferred to stick to its stand instead of submitting to the federation's line, or toeing the line of any other province.

Quite contrary to this, when Gwadar was being sold out to a foreign company, the nationalist parties which were part of the then coalition government kept silent and did not protest on behalf of the rights of poor fishermen.

He said Gwadar Port, Coastal Highway and Mirani Dam were on the agenda of the nationalist parties but, when these projects are in the final stages of completion thanks to the personal interest taken by President Pervez Musharraf, these parties had now come out in the opposition.

Referring to the services of the Muslim League, the chief minister said its manifesto is the construction of Pakistan. Referring to the prevailing drought, he said measures are being taken with the cooperation of the Federal Government to minimize its effect.

He said that the local population would reap the fruit of the development of Gwadar and as an example he referred to Lasbela district where outsiders invested in the district.

He announced that 3,500 local youth would soon be provided jobs in Gwadar. Protest rally: The components of the Baloch Parties Alliance, Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Hazara political workers staged demonstration in front of the press club here on Monday to protest against the military operation, issuance of warrants of arrest of Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri and others, detention of political activists and filing of false cases.

They raised slogans in support of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch. Representatives of the JWP, BNP-M, NP, PMAP and Hazara political workers cautioned the government that unilateral decisions ignoring the aspirations of the Balochistan people on the contentious issues would aggravate the present tense situation, and would not be a good omen for the unity of the federation and oppressed nationalities.

Agha Shahid Hasan Bugti, Secretary-General of the Jamhoori Watan Party, said that the people could not tolerate oppression for a long time and referred to Bengalis who opted for separation as military establishment had refused to recognize their rights. Balochistan, he added, was facing the same conditions and the rulers must realize the gravity of the situation.

He asserted that Balochs were loyal to Pakistan but were reluctant to play submissive role for the autocratic rulers who had been denying the political and constitutional rights to the people of Balochistan. The results for pushing the Balochs to the wall would not be in the interest of the country.