QUETTA, March 28: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf has said there are no Taliban bases in Quetta or any other part of the province and termed such reports wrong and baseless.

The chief minister was talking to participants of the National Defence Course who called on him here on Wednesday. Chief Secretary K. B Rind and other officials were also present.

“Quetta or any other area of Balochistan is not the base of Taliban activities. Reports in this regard are wrong and baseless,” he said, adding that around one million Afghan refugees were living in Quetta and other parts of the province who may be used by the Taliban.

Keeping in view the situation, he said, police and other law-enforcement agencies were keeping a vigilant eye on activities of Afghans living in camps and other areas, including cities.

He said it was difficult to differentiate between the Taliban and local population because both had resemblance in their life style and other traditions.

He said the government had taken all possible steps to restrict Afghans’ movement to their camps. “A strategy has been prepared to repatriate Afghan refugees to their country and it will be implemented soon,” Mr Yousuf said.

Lawyers statements: Sixteen lawyers recorded their statements on Wednesday before the Judicial Tribunal hearing the case of police action against lawyers in Quetta on March 21.

The tribunal is headed by Justice Ahmed Khan Lashari.

The lawyers accused police of using batons and tear gas against them when they were holding a peaceful procession.

Those who recorded their statements included Qahar Khan, general secretary of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association; Hashim Khan Kakar, vice-chairman of the Balochistan Bar Council, Jamal Mandokhel, Mohsin Javed and Sakhi Sultan.

Twenty lawyers will record their statements as witnesses on Thursday.

About 14 police personnel will also record their statements.