17 January 2005	Monday	06 Zilhaj 1425

LAHORE, Jan 16: President of the Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Sunday urged politicians to distance themselves from people who are disrupting development projects in Balochistan.

He was talking to Rauf Sasoli of the Jamhoori Watan Party, Aitzaz Ahsan of the People's Party Parliamentarians, Liaquat Baloch of the MMA, Lt-Gen (retd) Abdul Majid Malik, Ejaz Hashmi, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Senator Tariq Azeem Khan, Riaz Durrani, Ameerul Azeem, Secretary Information of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Maulana Mohammad Ahmad Ludhianvi and Maulana Mujibur Rehman Inqilabi who called on him at his residence here separately.

Meanwhile, Chief of the JWP Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti also telephoned Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to condole the death of Chaudhry Manzoor Elahi, father of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

Sources said that Nawab Akbar Bugti also discussed the latest situation in Balochistan. Chaudhry Shujaat told Nawab Akbar Bugti that the parliamentary committee working under his (Chaudhry Shujaat's) chairmanship would not remain indifferent to the current situation in the province.

The PML president assured Nawab Akbar Bugti that the parliamentary committee would take positive steps in the best national interests and for the welfare of the people of Balochistan.

Chauhdry Shujaat said the committee would soon finalize its recommendations and submit its report to the government. He said that the federal government would review the report and then take appropriate measures.

Nawab Akbar Bugti lauded Chaudhry Shujaat's efforts and appreciated his interest in the affairs of Balochistan. Chaudhry Shujaat said that a political and economic package was being finalized for the betterment of Balochistan.

He said that sincere people should not support anyone involved in sabotage activities in the province and they should also not support people hindering the development projects.

Chaudhry Shujaat said that the government had taken practical steps for the first time for development of Balochistan, which, he said, had been neglected in the past. He said that the government was preparing a very attractive and comprehensive development package for Balochistan.

The PML president said that some elements wanted to exploit the Sui incident to accomplish their vested interests and deprive the people of the benefits of development projects. He termed the people opposing the development projects enemies of people of Balochistan. Chaudhry Shujaat said some foreign elements were involved in disturbing the law and order in the province. -APP