QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said on Mon­day that Anti-Corruption Establishment was investigating 300 corruption cases against those people who were part of governments over the past 10 years.

He was talking to journalists at a ceremony where some members of the Hindu community announced joining the National Party (NP).

Know more: Elimination of corruption big challenge, says CM

Mr Baloch, who is a senior leader of the NP, said though corruption had not been wiped out from Balochistan, it had been reduced to some extent when compared to the era of the previous government.

He rejected the allegations levelled by opposition parties that members of his cabinet were involved in corruption and said: “Opposi­tion always hurls such allegations.”

“I present myself for accountability and welcome an investigation against myself,” Mr Baloch said, adding that he should be held accountable if he was found involved in receiving kickback or commission.

He avoided answering a question about an investigation launched by the National Accountability Bureau against three provincial ministers and some senior government officials and said: “We are trying to eliminate corruption.”

In reply to a question about extremism in Balochistan, he stressed the need for promoting brotherhood and religious harmony among people.

The chief minister admitted that law and order situation was not satisfactory in Turbat and Panjgur areas but said that figures of casualties in some recent incidents of violence had been exaggerated.

He claimed that according to his information, only two men had been killed in a recent clash between militants and their rivals in Dasht area in Kech district.

Earlier, he welcomed the group of Hindu people in the NP.

Dr Mohan Das, the leader of the group, said that Hindu community considered itself part of the Baloch society but was facing trouble over the past decade. Members of the community had become easy target for kidnappers and robbers with the result that a large number of them had moved to other provinces and some had even migrated to foreign countries, he said.

He said the NP had raised voice against atrocities and stood with the community.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2014