Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was on his way to Sukkur when the aircraft developed technical problems and had to be landed immediately. – File photo by AFP
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani . – File photo by AFP

GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that there is only a handful of people in Balochistan who are talking about independence for the province.

Talking to reporters at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh after laying floral wreaths on the graves of the Bhuttos and offering fateha, he said a majority of the Baloch were patriots as they had supported the Quaid-i-Azam in his struggle for Pakistan and rendered tremendous sacrifices towards that end.

He said if the Baloch had suffered any injustice in the past his government was ready to address their grievances.

He said that Z.A. Bhutto had made Pakistan a nuclear state and his contribution had been recognised internationally. He said Mr Bhutto gave the country 1973’s Constitution and the credit went to the present government that had restored it.

About the Karachi situation, he said it was the provincial matter but the federal government had extended all possible assistance to the province in terms of deployment of forces and intelligence sharing.Calling Karachi a mini-Pakistan, the prime minister said the government didn’t want a disturbed economy, adding that peace in the city would be restored.

He complained that almost all political parties were part of the government, either at the federal or provincial level, but it was the federal government that alone was criticised.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...