QUETTA, Oct 2: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf has said that the Baloch are not against Pakistan as they had played an important role in its creation.

Those talking of independent Balochistan and misguiding people would not succeed, said the chief minister while speaking to tribal elders from Bolan, Chagai and Nushki after an iftar dinner at the Chief Minister House here on Monday.

Former governor Amirul Mulk Mengal, provincial ministers Mir Shoaib Nausherwani, Mir Amanullah Notezai, Mir Asim Kurd, Sardar Wali Mohammad Reki, Sardar Bahdur Khan Mengal and tribal elders were present on the occasion.

He said that President General Pervez Musharraf had directed the federal and provincial governments to take special steps to bring Balochistan on a par with the developed areas of the country.

“Some elements are again trying to provoke the innocent people of the province against Pakistan just for the sake of their vested interests, but the government would not allow them to succeed,” said Mr Yousuf, adding that these elements were not sincere with the people.

“It is time to abolish the domination of the anti-Balochistan and anti-Pakistan elements,” he said, adding that the role the people of Balochistan played in the creation of Pakistan was a part of history.

The people of Balochistan could not even think of siding against Pakistan, he said.

The problems of the people of Balochistan were not too complicated to be resolved. The government was making all efforts to resolve them, he added.

The chief minister said that assemblies and other forums were available for discussing the problems of the people of Balochistan, and suggesting steps for their resolution. Political dialogue was the right way to resolve all issues, he added.