July 14, 2008	Monday	Rajab 10, 1429

QUETTA, July 13: Balochistan legislators have urged the government to convene a roundtable conference as part of its efforts to resolve issues through dialogue.

They were speaking at a meeting held here on Sunday on the political and law and order situation in the province. A number of decisions to stop target killings and improve law and order were taken at the meeting presided over by Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani. Members of the National Assembly, senators, parliamentary leaders of parties in the coalition government, provincial ministers, the chief secretary and inspector-general of police and other officials attended the meeting.

“Political issues of Balochistan should be settled through meaningful negotiations,” they said.

The meeting decided to approach the federal government to resolve the issue of provincial autonomy, implement Balochistan’s constitutional quota in federal services and autonomous corporations and recruit local youths in provincial forces.

The chief minister said his government would prepare a comprehensive plan to meet the challenges in accordance with suggestions made by the parliamentarians.

According to sources, Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa informed the meeting that the process of recruitment on 3,800 posts on Balochistan’s quota was under way and 650 posts had been advertised. He said 2,400 new posts had been announced in the provincial budget.

The meeting decided to take stern action against elements involved in criminal activities.