GADANI, May 22: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that time had passed for elements trying to incite people with slogans of ‘sovereignty of Balochistan’ and ‘rights of Balochistan’. Inaugurating the Marble City established under the Lasbella Industrial Estate Development Authority, he said there was a difference between those raising provocative slogans of ‘our sovereign rights’ and those who supported the federation.

The president said that sloganmongers were rather blinded by immense natural resources of the province and they were daydreaming to ‘rule the land in royal capacity’. On the other hand, he stressed: “We are endeavouring for development and progress of the province.’

He warned those trying to impede the process of development in the province and said that terrorism in any form would be forcefully quelled.

He offered apologies for any injustices meted out to Balochistan in the past.

Gen Musharraf said that the people of Balochistan were true Pakistanis but certain elements were trying to befool them by raising empty slogans.

He expressed solidarity with Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf.—Agencies