September 06, 2006	Wednesday	Sha'aban 12, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 5: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Tuesday claimed that the writ of the government had been established in Balochistan and 30 of about 50 militant camps in the province had been dismantled. Addressing a press conference here, he said that the province would soon be cleansed of all such camps.

However, a senior official of the Ministry of Interior, who did not want to be named, said the government was bracing for a violent reaction to the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti. He said there were fears that militants would carry out terrorists activities not only in Balochistan, but also in other parts of the country.

Mr Sherpao said the ongoing operation against terrorists would continue along with the process of dialogue to restore permanent peace in the province.

He said the government had announced a general amnesty for militants if they voluntarily surrendered. “Recently we have given amnesty to 1,500 activists of Marri tribe who surrendered and handed over their arms to the provincial government,” he said.

Responding to a question about the death of Nawab Bugti, the minister said it was not a case of target killing. There was no personal grudge against anyone in Balochistan, he said, adding that there had been no target killing in the province in the past nor would there be any in future. “There has been no provocation from the government,” he said.

He said that from January 2004 to December 2005, 378 civilians and 150 law-enforcement personnel had been killed in the province.

Similarly, 1,032 civilians and 456 personnel of security forces were injured during the period. “Most of them were injured in mine blasts,” he said.

Nawab Bugti, he said, had been invited for dialogue a number of times but he opted for destroying national assets and anti- state activities instead of resolving the issues peace-

fully.

The minister said that 29 of the 30 recommendations of the parliamentary committee on Balochistan had been implemented while the report of a committee on constitutional amendments had not been issued yet.

Mr Sherpao said that work on Rs140 billion development package for Balochistan would continue unabated. “We are with the people of Balochistan and all mega projects would continue there,” he said.

Responding to a question about reports of external support for the Baloch militant leaders, the minister said: “We have solid evidences which confirm the involvement of neighbouring countries in the Balochistan crisis,” he said.

Answering to a question about the total number of troops in Balochistan, he said all major operations in the province were being conducted by the Frontier Constabulary and a very small number of troops was there to assist the FC.