MURREE, Aug 27: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said the government would take ‘every step’ to ensure its writ in Balochistan and other parts of the country.

Addressing a meeting called against the backdrop of the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, he said all measures would be taken to protect the lives of people and no negligence would be tolerated.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, ruling Pakistan Muslim League chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao and officials of intelligence agencies.

The president said that doors for negotiations on all issues were always open. “Neither we closed these channels in the past nor we will do so in future. However, we cannot let anyone attack security forces and if someone will do this, we (will) take punitive action against them,” he declared.

The participants were informed about details of the Kohlu operation.

The meeting discussed the impact of Akbar Bugti’s death on national politics, opposition’s response to the incident, reaction from public circles and the loss inflicted by protesters in different parts of the country on Sunday.

The meeting decided that law-enforcement agencies would remain on high alert and provide assistance to the civil administration and nobody would be allowed to attack and destroy government property.

It was decided that elements supporting the government would be backed.

The government reiterated its determination to continue development projects in Balochistan and President Musharraf directed the departments concerned to complete the ongoing projects at the earliest.—Online