ISLAMABAD, June 26: Speakers at a seminar held here on Monday asked the government and the Sardars to resolve the issue of Balochistan politically. They said the revenue from natural resources in the province should be spent on the welfare of the Baloch people.

The seminar titled “Soft Images of Balochistan” was organised by the Pakistan-International Press Agency. Balochistan Governor Awais Ghani, who was the chief guest, also underlined the need for a political solution. He said bullets and terrorism had never resolved political issues.

Minister of State for Information Tariq Azeem Khan said Balochistan was the economic backbone of Pakistan and the people of Balochistan had rendered great sacrifices for the country. Rulers in the past had ignored the people of Balochistan and that was the reason why they remained mired in poverty and illiteracy.

He said no government could afford a state within state, which was being created by a few Sardars. Therefore, the government was compelled to retaliate in self-defence. “You cannot expect our army to shower them with flowers in exchange of missile attacks,” Mr Azeem said.

Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Zobaida Jalal highlighted the strategic importance of Balochistan. She said the soft image of the province had much to do with the folklore, poetry, literature and craftsmanship of the people of the area, where the common man and the woman were the sovereign custodian of this cultural heritage.

She said the government had shifted the focus from the Sardars to the people of Balochistan.

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Mir Naseer Mengal said Balochistan should be allocated funds either on the basis of its area or the government should come up with a development plan to bring the province first at par with other provinces in infrastructure, health and education facilities and then start awarding funds to the province on the basis of its population.