02 March 2005	Wednesday	20 Muharram 1426

QUETTA, March 1: Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani said on Tuesday that the government was trying to restart the suspended dialogue process to promote conciliation and resolve the contentious issues of the province.

Talking to newsmen at the airport after the inauguration ceremony of Air Blue's service between Quetta and Karachi, he said that the government was making sincere efforts in this regard.

"Dialogue is the only way to find a political solution of issues being faced in Balochistan," he said. He said President Gen Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and all other government leaders agreed that a political solution of Balochistan's problems should be found.

Replying to a question, he said efforts were under way to resume political negotiations, which had been suspended due to various reasons. He expressed the hope that the next round of talks would be successful.

He said other elements would also play their role in the negotiations as all the parties were urging initiation of a dialogue for the resolution of the issues pertaining to Balochistan.

He said the government had formed parliamentary committees to find a solution to the problems indicated by the political leadership of the province. The recommendations of the committees would be announced soon, he said.

The governor said some elements tried to sabotage the political process but the government had foiled their attempts and continued its efforts for reconciliation. Responding to a question, he ruled out launching of a military operation or imposition of governor's rule in the province.

He said police had arrested some people who were disturbing law and order in the province. He said peace would be restored in the province soon, after arrest of the elements backing saboteurs and involved in blasts and rocket attacks.

Replying to a question, he said that nationalists were opposing large projects "due to their political compulsion". He dispelled the impression that the Baloch would become a minority in their area after with the compilation of the projects.

Earlier, speaking at the launching ceremony of Air Blue's service, the governor said launching of flights by private airlines from Quetta would help bring Balochistan in the mainstream. He said the private airlines were offering concession in fare, which would increase the number of people who travel by air.

He said Balochistan had a lot of investment potential. He urged the people and leaders of the province to benefit from the opportunities for the development of the province. The airline's Chief Operation Officer Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also spoke.