ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has said that without compromising on the national sovereignty and development, government is ready to talk to every Baloch leader.

“No operation is going on in Balochistan; rather action is being taken against those who try to challenge the writ of government by damaging public property and attacking the law enforcing agencies,” the minister told a private television channel on Tuesday.

He said certain elements in Balochistan did not want the development process initiated by the present government.

In reply to a question he said there was nothing wrong with the democracy in the country and the elected bodies at each level were performing their functions while the press was free. The human rights situation in the country is also better than ever, he added.

The minister said the government was making all out efforts to root out the menaces of extremism, sectarianism and terrorism from the society and these efforts were being internationally acknowledged and admired.

Economically, the country was performing very well and landmark development activities were taking place, he said.

Answering another question he said Pakistan enjoyed cordial relations with the United States and both the countries were committed to further strengthen mutual relations.—APP