QUETTA, April 14: Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani said on Thursday that the Dera Bugti issue had been resolved as a result of the government’s desire to solve all problems through negotiation and conciliation. Talking to newsmen after the oath-taking ceremony of Balochistan Ombudsman Fazalur Rehman at Governor’s House, he said: “It is the government’s policy to give preference to conciliation and political dialogue to find solution of all political issues instead of using force.”

He said the resolution of the Dera Bugti issue through negotiation had negated the propaganda about a military operation in Balochistan. “It was a wrong impression that the government wanted to launch a military operation in the province,” he said.

He said the issue had been resolved without use of force and Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti was also responding positively. He said it depended on both the parties to jointly move ahead.

He said the government was making all possible efforts to address the longstanding issues and demands of Balochistan and a lot of work had been done in this connection. He said the parliamentary committee set up by the government would also come up with important results and recommendations.

“Negotiation is in progress on all longstanding problems of the province and it is now incumbent on each of us to create a conducive atmosphere so that the parliamentary committee can work smoothly,” the governor said.

He said the parliamentary committee would resume its work in a day or two.

Replying to a question, he said those involved in the kidnapping and manhandling of National Party leaders had been identified that they belonged to a three-member gang of car lifters. “Two of them belong to the Ghaibzai tribe while the third is a local Baloch,” he said, adding that they would be arrested soon.

Responding to a question, the governor said strict measures were being taken to check smuggling of weapons into the province.

Referring to the agitation launched by students against the arrest of some of their leaders from the Balochistan University, he said there should not be any political activity on the premises of educational institutions.

“The government has decided not to allow any politics in the educational institutions,” he said.

The governor said he had talked to leaders, including Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Dr Abdul Hayee, in this regard and they had assured him of their support regarding the ban.

Earlier, the governor administered oath to the new ombudsman.