05 November 2004	Friday	21 Ramazan 1425

QUETTA, Nov 4: The Pashtoon Ulesi Jirga has called upon the government to restore the former chief commissioner province, comprising the Pashtoon areas of Balochistan.

A demand to this effect was made at a meeting of the Jirga representatives, headed by Senator Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, with the parliamentary sub-committee on Balochistan issues, led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, here on Wednesday evening.

The parliamentary sub-committee members were apprised of the problems being faced by the people of the Pashtoon areas of Balochistan.

Senator Jogezai told reporters on Thursday that the Jirga demanded restoration of the former chief commissioner province of Balochistan because Pashtoons had their own identity.

He said that Balochistan had two nations, Balochs and Pashtoons, and both had equal political, economic and cultural rights.

He said that the Pashtoons' share in power be given constitutional protection for resolving the problems confronting the province.

Till the restoration of the former chief commissioner province, equal rights of Balochs and Pashtoons be determined 'through a formula,' he said.