QUETTA: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday indicated initiating negotiations with disgruntled extremists who were putting up resistance in Balochistan.

“I am thinking of holding talks with disgruntled extremists who are offering resistance in Balochistan,” said Mr Khan while speaking at an MoU signing ceremony in the port city of Gwadar.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong and CPEC Authority Chairman Asim Saleem Bajwa signed the MoUs regarding a desalination plant and solar energy in the presence of the prime minister and Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani.

While referring to the disgruntled people, the premier said they might have been used by India or by others in the past or they had some ill-feeling, but they must have felt “now the situation has changed”. He said: “Whoever will think about Pakistan will think about Balochistan [first].”

The CPEC Authority chairman earlier gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister and his cabinet members about various projects and progress on special development packages for Balochistan.

A network of 1,100km roads was established in the province, he said. Seven big and 100 small dams would be built for rainwater conservation, besides ensuring water supply from Akra, Sowd and Shadi Kour dams to Gwadar and other areas. Projects for power generation was part of the package.

The meeting was informed that Gwadar and Kharan would have cadet colleges, while Turbat, Khuzdar and Pishin would have varsities for women. Also, digital skills training was being provided to 35,000 youths.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2021