ISLAMABAD, July 22: The government has said that doors for talks are open to all ‘miscreants’ in Balochistan, including tribal leaders Akbar Bugti, Attaullah Mengal and Khair Baksh Marri.

“They will, however, have to lay down arms as a pre-condition for talks,” Minister for States and Frontier Regions Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind told a press conference here on Saturday.

He said the government had pardoned all those who had surrendered and the option was also available to the three sardars.

He said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was considering to hold the next meeting of the federal cabinet in Balochistan to understand problems of the province in a better manner.

He alleged that a neighbouring country was also involved in acts of terrorism to disrupt the process of development. He said some people from the neighbouring country had been apprehended and sophisticated weapons and equipment seized.

He said Rs133 billion would be spent on development projects in Balochistan.

He said he has requested to the prime minister that the major projects in the province should be completed before the general elections.

He said 14,500 Baloch people, including 450 officers, would be inducted in the army. He said 9,000 local people had been recruited in police while 10,000 were being employed in the Balochistan Constabulary.

He said 12 new units were being raised in the Frontier Constabulary and the Baloch will be given priority in the recruitment. Each unit would have a minimum of 700 people, he said. He referred to the revival of the Saindek project and said thousands of people would get jobs from the largest gold and copper project in the region.

Answering a question, he said re-election of Gen Musharraf as president was essential to ensure continuation of policies which were in the interest of the province.