16 December 2004	Thursday	03 Ziqa'ad 1425

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QUETTA, Dec 15: Former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali on Wednesday met Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Akbar Bugti and discussed with him the political situation in the country.

The two Baloch politicians, however, held on to their divergent views on mega projects launched by the federal government in Balochistan.

Talking to newsmen in Dera Bugti, Nawab Bugti asserted that the mega programmes would harm the identity of the Baloch people and local fishermen would be deprived of their natural fishing gift since "land in Gwadar was being allotted to generals, ministers, advisers and investors".

The JWP leader said that Mir Jamali's views on mega projects reflected the ruling party's concepts which had nothing to do with the reality. He claimed that mega projects in the coastal areas of Balochistan would cause irreparable losses to the Baloch people.

He said from the outset the country was run on a 'doctrine of necessity'. The establishment of Pakistan in 1947, its division in 1971, the elevation and removal of Mr Jamali as prime minister were the outcome of that doctrine. So the ex-prime minister's visit to Dera Bugti should be seen in that context, he added.

While supporting the uplift programme, Mr Jamali said this was a good step and emphasized that in these projects, priority should be given to natives and the local population.

Mr Jamali stressed that Balochistan issues should be resolved through mutual under standing, in the spirit of give and take. He added that political problems could be settled only through negotiations.