QUETTA, May 10: President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday asked militants to surrender their weapons and join the development process. Addressing a public meeting in Sui, he said the government would not take action against people who surrendered but “strict action will be taken against those who do not do so.” He said the security forces had destroyed 65 ‘farari camps’ in Balochistan and the remaining three or four camps would be eliminated soon.

The president said 65,000 of 90,000 displaced Bugtis had returned to Dera Bugti. He said a large number of Baloch youths were joining the army as officers.

Gen Musharraf announced a development package of Rs2 billion for the area.

He said foreign companies would soon begin exploring mineral resources in Balochistan. He said coal mines which had remained closed for years had been opened with the help of the army and the civil administration.

He said Gwadar would be linked with Afghanistan through a railway service. He said he would inaugurate the Subakzai dam soon.

Gen Musharraf inaugurated a terminal of the Sui airport that had been destroyed by militants.

Speaking at the launching of National Internship Programme, self-employment scheme and award of scholarships to students of Balochistan at the Governor’s House in Quetta, the president said he was pleased to see that peace had returned to the area where 650 rockets had been fired in four days at one stage.

He said development projects worth Rs135 billion were in progress in the province.

He said more areas in the province were being brought under police control and the process had been completed in 23 of 29 districts. About 300 policemen were being recruited in Dera Bugti to replace Levies force. Local people were being recruited in police.

President Musharraf said he had sent the reference against the chief justice of Pakistan as per constitutional requirements and demands of statesmanship. “I have a lot of respect for the judiciary and I believe in the supremacy of law.” He said he believed that one should keep state matters above his personal relationships.

He said he had not considered his personal relationships while deciding to send the reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry received from the government. “My decision was according to the demand of state craftsmanship and needs of the constitution,” he said, adding that he had no ulterior motives against the chief justice.

The president lauded the directives of the Supreme Court banning comments on the reference.