QUETTA, Aug 4: President Pervez Musharraf has blamed foreign elements for the insurgency in Balochistan.

Speaking at a lunch hosted by Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi at the Governor’s House here on Monday, the president said: “I am one thousand per cent sure that the elements involved in target killings and subversive activities are being financed and trained by foreign elements who do not want peace in the country.”

Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and most members of his cabinet did not attend the lunch.

The president said the government must defeat the insurgents with the help of people, adding that these elements should not be allowed to derail the development process in the province.

He said he did not want the government to use force against anti-people elements, but any leniency in curbing the insurgency would cause further deterioration in situation.

He called upon the people of Balochistan to unite against the insurgents and help the government in its efforts to bring about positive changes in society.

He regretted the killing of innocent people by terrorists and said these people had been living in the province for decades and had played an important role for development and prosperity of the province.