RAWALPINDI, Jan 15: Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday said there was no plan of any army action in Balochistan.

Talking to journalists, he said Balochistan was economically very important for the country and in case a law and order situation arose there the government reserved the right to take 'appropriate measures'.

He said the Balochistan government had sought the centre's assistance to maintain law and order in the province. He said the situation had already started getting better and hoped that it would improve further.

The minister said the provincial government had registered two FIRs in the assault case involving a lady doctor and added that the media had hyped up the incident. Referring to the law and order situation in Gilgit, he said the town was peaceful and the government would soon uncover the motives behind the disorder.

In reply to a question about the comments of Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain regarding the ruling coalition, he hoped that the MQM leader would reconsider his statement. -APP