February 1, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 2, 1427

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HYDERABAD, Jan 31: Former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said there is no separatist movement in Balochistan.

He was talking to journalists after attending a reception hosted by Tando Mohammad Khan District Nazim Inayat Ali Talpur and former district council chairman Pir Khalid Jan Sarhandi in Tando Mohammad Khan on Tuesday.

Mr Jamali said terrorists did not belong to any country or nation. He said that instead of conducting operations in Balochistan, the government should hold talks with Baloch leaders through PML leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

He said the people of Balochistan were only demanding their rights. He said a sense of deprivation was prevailing among the people of the province.

He said that construction of water reservoirs was necessary for the country. He, however, said the people of all the provinces should be taken into confidence on the issue.

Mr Jamali denied that the there was any political crisis in the country or in the PML, adding that the party was united.

He said that instead of issuing red notices to Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari, the government should allow Nawaz Sharif, Ms Bhutto and Mr Zardari to return to the country.

He conceded that in the past, excesses had been committed against the small provinces in respect of water distribution.

He hoped that the general election would be held on schedule next year. He called upon democratic forces to work for solidarity and integrity of the country.

He claimed that president’s policies were in the interest of the country. He said the new local body system would benefit people.