17 January 2005	Monday	06 Zilhaj 1425

LAHORE, Jan 16: Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Sunday ruled out the possibility of a military operation in Balochistan, but warned that the sensitive installations related to national economy would be fully guarded.

Speaking at a crowded news conference here at the Lahore Polo Club, he announced that a special meeting of the federal cabinet and a summit of the PML allied parties were being held in Islamabad on Monday (today) to discuss the Balochistan issue.

The minister said the government wanted to resolve the (Balochistan) issue to avoid hurdles in the way of national progress. But if some Sardar believed that he could create hurdles in Pakistan's economic progress, he was at fault.

"The army has not gone there for any action, but to guard sensitive national installations against terrorist attacks. Let there be no misunderstanding in this regard. The installations relating to the country's economy will be fully protected," he said.

Replying to a question, the information minister said the crisis in Sui began because "they say one thing and keep in their heart another." He said the issue (alleged rape of a lady doctor) had been exploited despite the fact that two FIRs had been registered. He, however, said those involved in the incident would not be spared.

Answering another question, he said the president had merely maintained in his interview with a private TV channel that conditions now were different from those in 1970, pleading for joint efforts for creating better atmosphere in the country.

But, he had also warned that use of force, terrorism or attempts to damage sensitive installations would not be tolerated. Sheikh Rashid said the federal government's Balochistan committee would continue to function. The party line on the issue would be given by PML President Chaudhry Shujaat, who would also attend the cabinet meeting.

He said curfew in Gilgit would soon be lifted as conditions there had been improved. The killers of Agha Ziauddin Rizvi did not belong to Gilgit, he said, adding they had been identified and would soon be arrested.

Replying to a question on the government's reconciliation policy, he said it really wanted improvement in relations within and outside the country. "But the neighbouring country did not fully respond to the sincerity of President Musharraf, as it ducked on Baglihar dam and other issues.

And within the country, some people are sticking to the uniform issue and some others are making demands that cannot be met," the minister said. When asked to explain the point, he said Pakistan was not (totally) disappointed with the Indian response.

"India must not try to increase (the level of) our disappointment, and must keep in mind that we would show no flexibility in our national affairs," he said. Mr Rashid, while responding to a question on Wana, said the situation in Northern and Southern Waziristan was under control. But, he said, small-scale losses could be suffered during actions taken against those who tried to shuttle across the border.

He parried a question on the statement of MQM chief Altaf Husain, which was published in newspapers on Sunday. He must himself issue statements while assessing the prevalent conditions, he said.

The minister said the MMA leaders did not have the capacity to smell change and were sticking to the old topics. He regretted the attack on the press club by the activists of the ISO and said the government would look into it.

PPI ADDS: The federal minister said the newsmen would soon hear a good news about the Wage Board award. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists had done a great job in this regard, he added.