March 24, 2006	Friday	Safar 23, 1427

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QUETTA, March 23: Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani said on Thursday that the government had not closed the door for negotiations but would not hold talks with the elements creating law and order problem until they surrendered their weapons. He was talking to newsmen at Governor’s House after an investiture ceremony, held here on Thursday in connection with Pakistan Day.

“The government took initiatives for the last two and half years for talks with Nawab Bugti and other leaders but they responded negatively,” he said and added that he himself visited Dera Bugti and held talks with Nawab Bugti for resolving issues through negotiations.

He said that in response to the government’s overtures they had started rocket attacks and bomb blasts and had been attacking key installations and even firing rockets when the president went to Kohlu to announced a development package.

Responding a question, the governor said, “Violence cannot produce positive results. Instead, such tactics had damaged the interest of the province in the past and would not benefit anybody in the future as well,” he said.

He said that if some one wants dialogue, he should show seriousness.

He said earlier government ignored all hostilities and tried to negotiate but there was lack of sincerity.

Replying to a question, the governor said that forces would not return from Dera Bugti and other areas of the province and government would not withdraw cases registered against them as demanded by some political parties for initiating talks.

He said that he wanted to ask these elements what they had gained through mortar fire, bomb explosions and other activities since the last two and half years. He said that poor people of the province were suffering difficulties due to these activities.

Responding yet another question, about the visit of the prime minister, he said that he would soon visit Quetta during which he would announce development package for the province.