March, 20 2005	Sunday	09 Safar 1426

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LAHORE, March 19: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday held some “internal forces” of Balochistan responsible for the prevailing tense situation in the province, alleging that they wanted to sabotage the democratic process. However, he said at a news conference here that the government would not only protect all national assets but also restore its writ. The minister dismissed as absurd allegation that the government wanted to kill JWP chief Nawab Akbar Bugti or was going to launch some operation in the country’s most thinly populated province. As for the use of force by the FC, the minister said it was in response to the firing from the other side which had left eight people dead. “If the civilian forces are targeted, they have the right to take appropriate measures in self-defence.” Reiterating the government’s resolve to settle the Balochistan problem through talks, the minister said damage to national assets would not be tolerated in any case.

In response to a question, Mr Rashid said opposition legislators would be taken to Balochistan during the next few days to enable them to see the situation for themselves.

The minister said it should be seriously looked into why the Baloch Sardars were supporting the troublemakers at this juncture when they had shown no reaction on their defeat in the 2002 general elections.

He supported the demand for provincial autonomy within the limits set by the constitution. However, he said, bullets would not solve any problem.

About the government plans for reconciliation with opposition parties, the minister said its contours were being worked out, but nothing was clear at the moment.

When it was pointed out that the ruling party had expressed some reservations about the process, he said the PML was an open party where everybody could express his opinion.

Asked about the possibility of Mian Nawaz Sharif going to New York or London using a Saudi passport, the minister said the exiled former prime minister was certainly not coming to Pakistan. However, he said, he did not know where Mr Sharif planned to go or whether he would be using Saudi documents.

He told a questioner he was not aware why there was no progress in contacts with the PPP of Ms Benazir Bhutto.

Responding to a question about the treatment Mr Asif Ali Zardari could expect on his arrival in Lahore on April 16, the minister said the government would neither do anything to welcome him nor create any problem for those wanting to receive him.

Asked about President Musharraf’s remarks against religious parties, the minister said in fact the general had spoken against extremism and given a message of moderation. Extremists, he said, were those who imposed their views on others. The president, he said, believed that one should not give up one’s beliefs but also not interfere in the beliefs of others.

He defended the government’s decision to raise petrol prices every now and then, saying the OPEC was responsible for it.