February 15, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 16, 1427

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QUETTA, Feb 14: Deputy Speaker of the Balochistan assembly, Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, has appealed to the federal government, Baloch sardars and politicians to take steps to end fighting in the larger interest of the province and to promote reconciliation.

Talking to newsmen after filing his papers for a senate seat as an independent candidate here, he said that history showed that issues could not be resolved by force. He said that he supported neither the attack on President Musharraf and Chief Minister Jam Yousuf in Kohlu nor the government’s retaliatory measures, because precious lives were being lost by both sides.

He said that Pakistan was dear to him, but he also loved tribal traditions. He said tribal chieftains were respected by their tribes and these sardars and nawabs had an important place in the country’s politics. “We should honour the verdict of people and tribesmen,” he remarked.

Mr Bhootani said that sardars and nawabs had deep roots and had been custodian of their tribes for centuries.

In view of prevailing situation, he suggested, both sides should agree to form a joint reconciliation committee empowered to resolve all issues amicably.

He said Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, Sardar Sanaullah Khan Zehri, Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai and General (rtd) Abdul Qadir Baloch should come forward to play their role in resolving the issue.

He said General Qadir was aware of army’s thinking and also of tribal traditions. He said that Jam Yousuf enjoyed respect in the tribal society but at present he could not play a reconciliatory role. “In the capacity of a tribal elder he could have resolved the issue,” Mr Bhootani said.

Mr Bhootani said he supported the mega projects but, added that only Gwadar port, Kachhi canal, coastal highway, Mirani dam and Subakzai dam projects were not enough for the development of Balochistan. The province, he said, needed more funds from the federal government.

He said that despite demands made by the chief minister, the province had not been given adequate funds and as a result work on various development projects launched in the province had been hampered.

He said that the federal government should provide at least Rs6 billion to the chief minister to enable him to resolve problems of the province.