08 November 2004	Monday	24 Ramazan 1425

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QUETTA, Nov 7: Chairman of the parliamentary sub-committee on Balochistan issues, Senator Mushahid Hussain, on Sunday assured Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti that past attitude with Balochistan would not be repeated.

"The attitude adopted with Balochistan in the past would not be repeated this time as the people of the province are our own people," he said, adding that he was aware of the sense of deprivation among the people of this backward province.

The assurance was made during a meeting Mr Mushahid held with the veteran Baloch politician Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in Dera Bugti on Sunday.

The meeting lasted over three hours during which both leaders discussed issues pertaining to Balochistan.

Senator Mushahid said that for the first time in the history of the country serious efforts were being made for solving the problems of Balochistan. "If we can hold negotiation with India for restoring peace and friendship despite fighting many wars then why we cannot hold talks on Balochistan issues," the senator said.

"Nawab Bugti is our elder and I discussed with him issues being faced by Balochistan in detail. Our meeting remained positive and fruitful," Senator Mushahid Hussain told reporters after the meeting and added that the points raised by the JWP chief had great importance.

Mushahid Hussain said that Balochistan's problems could not be resolved by using force and nobody could impose his decision against the will of the people of the province. He dispelled the impression that the sub-committee was powerless, and said it was formed with the consent of the government which wanted to resolve the issues of Balochistan through meaningful negotiations.

Replying to a question, he said the sub-committee having representation from all political parties held meetings with different political parties and alliances during its visit to Quetta and Gwadar and discussed the issues of Balochistan in detail.

"We can expect positive results from these meeting and the exercise will not go futile," he stated.

Responding to another question, Mushahid Hussain said during meetings various delegations lodged their complaints against the arrogant attitude of the Frontier Corps and coastguards personnel and in view of these complaints the government would take steps for a positive change in the attitude of these forces.