QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Dr. Malik Baloch on Sunday said that some elements want to impose their agenda on the people through the use of force.
Speaking to journalists in a local hotel, after chairing a function regarding the promotion of the Balochi language, the chief minister said he had no information about the presence of ISIS in the volatile province.
He said however that there are fundamentalists whose approach is similar to that of ISIS.
The chief minister termed past policies of rulers as the underlying reason behind the unrest in Balochistan, plagued by growing sectarianism and violent attacks by Baloch separatists.
Baloch stated that his government was determined to restore peace in the province through political means.
"I stand for peace and I strive for a negotiated settlement of issues relating to Balochistan," he said.
Regarding security arrangements in the aftermath of recent terror acts, the chief minister stated that police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were deployed at all exit and entry points to ensure peace during the month of Muharram.
Capital City Police Officer Quetta, Razaq Cheema while addressing a press conference said that 71 pickets manned by 525 policemen were established in Quetta during Muharram.
He said a ban was also imposed on pillion riding from 7th to 10th Muharram.
Two people killed near Pak-Iran border
Meanwhile, armed men opened fire at a vehicle and killed two people near Mashkail, Pakistan's bordering town with Iran on Sunday morning, levies said.
Levies sources said armed men opened fire at a pick up and killed two people on the spot near the Iranian border.
"The pick up was loaded with Iranian diesel and petrol and caught fire. Both persons inside the vehicle were burnt to death", they added.
They were identified as local residents of Mashkail. Motive behind the incident was yet to be ascertained.
Levies and personnel of other law enforcement agencies reached the spot and started investigation into the incident. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
This incident has come two days after the Iranian forces fired five mortar shells in Mashkail.
There were no fatalities and Frontier Crops retaliated against the Iranian attack. A blame game between the two countries has been intensified in recent days with regard to border skirmishes.
