May 10, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 4, 1429

QUETTA: May 9: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani, Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani and leaders of various parties have welcomed the release of BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal and termed it a positive step for resolving the issue of Balochistan in a peaceful manner.

The chief minister said in a statement that the unconditional release of Sardar Mengal and withdrawal of cases would strengthen the reconciliation process launched by the government.

“Democracy and reconciliation process will be strengthened in the province with the release of Sardar Akhtar Mengal,” Nawab Raisani said.

Speaker Bhootani said that the release would help improve the situation in the province. He appealed to all nationalist parties to help the government in its reconciliation efforts.

The speaker said that rehabilitation of displaced people of Dera Bugti and Marri areas would be started soon. He said that withdrawal of Frontier Corps forces from Quetta and Gwadar was the fulfilment of the promise made by the chief minister. “The sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan will be removed with such measures,” he said.