GWADAR: Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has said that the atmosphere of fear prevailing in Balochistan for years has been brought to an end and people are now taking part in activities aimed at its development and progress. He warned that no individual or group would be allowed to impose their ideology upon people.

Nawab Zehri said this while addressing the concluding ceremony of the Kech Sports Festival in Turbat on Tuesday night. “Some misguided elements handed out guns to the youth, instead of books, which destroyed their future,” he said.

Former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Aamir Riaz, Senator Shahbaz Durrani, local government officials and a large number of students were present.

The chief minister said that the ‘misguided elements’ wanted to push the province back towards backwardness and decay by hindering its development.

He warned that no one would get their demands accepted through violence.

He said that in a democratic society, everyone had the right to do politics and one could get his due rights and address grievances by adopting a democratic approach.

The chief minister attributed the improved law and order situation in Makran and other parts of the province to the relentless efforts and sacrifices of security forces. He lauded the people of Makran for rejecting the anti-state and violent elements and extending their help for restoring peace in the province.

“A lot of blood has been shed and time wasted. We cannot afford further losses,” Nawab Zehri said, adding that the government was determined to restore peace in Balochistan.

He urged students and youth to focus on education as there was no dearth of talent among them. He paid tribute to Dr Malik Baloch for the efforts that he had made for the development of the province.

The chief minister announced a reward of Rs3 million for the children who performed on the occasion and Rs500,000 each for folk singers, Akhtar Chanal and Muhammad Arif.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2016