QUETTA, Nov 21: The Balochistan home minister on Monday informed the provincial assembly that the patrolling of Frontier Corps personnel in Dera Bugti was a routine matter while movement of militiamen in the area was to protect life and property of the people.

Mir Shoiab Nausherwani was responding to the question raised by leader of the opposition in Balochistan Assembly. He said the people arrested in the Karachi in connection with the PIDC blast were undergoing interrogation by the Sindh police.

Opposition leader Kachkol Advocate had said on a point of order that movement of militiamen in Dera Bugti and connecting the Karachi blast with Jamhoori Watan Party were aimed at provoking tribesmen.

Mr Kachkol and Mir Akbar Mengal of BNP-M were also criticised an interview of the Inspector General of Police, Balochistan, to electronic media. The IG had blamed that nationalist forces were behind subversive acts.

Deputy Speaker Mir Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, who chaired the proceedings on Monday, disposed of three adjournment motions of opposition members following assurances by concerned ministers.

A joint motion of Rehmat Ali and Mir Jan Muhammad Buledi pertained to grabbing of entertainment parks in Turbat by land mafia with help of the district coordination officer. However, the movers did not press the motion when revenue minister assured them to conduct an inquiry and to demolish illegally constructed boundary walls.

The speaker, on a motion of Mr Ziaratwal, asked the government to ensure that local youths were given jobs by the drilling company which is exploring gas in Khost area of Sibi district.

A motion of Sardar Azam Musakhel related to absence of government officials from duty in Musakhel. The speaker directed the government to bound the district administration to ensure presence of officials in their respective offices.

Minister for Local Governments Hafiz Hussain Ahmed Shurudy tabled Balochistan Local Government (second amendment) bill 2005.

During the question hour, the speaker asked the minister for agriculture to arrange a comprehensive briefing to the members of the house on utilization of Rs5 billion allocated by the federal government for construction of ponds and watercourse in all the districts of the province.

Opposition members had complained that the funds were distributed on the basis favouritism.