March, 21 2005	Monday	10 Safar 1426

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RAWALPINDI, March 20: Minister of State for Information Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli has defended the government’s operation in Dera Bugti, saying it is necessary to bring ‘miscreants’ within the ambit of law. She was talking to reporters after attending a function at Liaquat Memorial Hall. Ms Tahirkheli said criminals had been using innocent people to create law and order situation. But none would be allowed to take law into their own hands and challenge government’s writ, she said.

Replying to a question why force was being used, she said the government had also been trying to settle the issue through talks.

A reconciliation committee has been working but the government’s writ has to be maintained at all costs. Those endangering national installations would not be spared, she said.

The state minister said she was oblivious to the latest situation. A fact-finding mission to the area was cancelled due to the tense situation, she added. She said deprivations in Balochistan were old and the present government had made plans to bring this neglected province on the par with other provinces. Mega projects are being initiated for this purpose, she added.

Answering another question, Ms Tahirkheli said Abdul Qadeer Khan’s network had been broken. If investigations are required, the government itself will make inquiries and no step will be taken against national interest, she said.

She said differences with India were also being resolved through peaceful means. The Muzzafarabad-Srinagar bus service is a giant step in this direction. For the first time, people will have travelling facilities without passport, she said. Earlier, speaking at the function, the state minister stressed on the importance of education. She said literacy rate in Pakistan was much below the required level.

Our population has been increasing at a very rapid pace with no corresponding raise in literacy. Every year we are adding about three million illiterates to our population, she added.