July 14, 2006	Friday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 17, 1427

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QUETTA, July 13: The government is not holding negotiations with militant tribal chiefs at any level nor has it asked any party or person to mediate, said Raziq Bugti, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, while talking to newsmen here on Thursday.

“There have been no talks at any level between the government and militant tribal chiefs or their representatives,” said Mr Bugti, reiterating the government stand that it would not hold talks with those involved in attacking security forces and national installations.

The government could hold talks with the tribal chiefs but only after they abandoned private militia and surrendered weapons to the government. President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Chief Minister Jam Yousuf had already announced the government policy in this regard, he added.

Bugti said the opposition “propaganda” that the government was holding talks with militants was “baseless” and aimed at hiding their own weaknesses.

He said the situation in Balochistan was very critical in March and April when security forces came under heavy attacks of rockets, missiles and mortars. But now the government efforts had brought about a positive change in the situation, and those fighting against the security forces had started surrendering, he said, adding that the government was taking steps to rehabilitate these people.

To a question, the spokesman said that restoring peace was the main agenda of the government so that development projects could be initiated in the province.

Rejecting the claim of opposition parties regarding arrests and kidnapping of political workers, he said only those involved in terrorist activities had been arrested. “No innocent person was arrested and kept in jail,” he said, adding that those found innocent after investigation were allowed to go home.

To a question, he said over 250 militants had so far surrendered, and they included some very important commanders. More people were contacting the government in this regard, he added.

“Militants are still there, but they have been weakened considerably,” said Bugti.