QUETTA, Aug 14: Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi has said he will quit his office if he is unable to control the deteriorating law and order in the province.

He was talking to newsmen at a ceremony held to award presidential medals to 18 police officials on Thursday.

When a journalist pointed out that there were rumours about his resignation, Nawab Magsi replied: “Yes. I intend to quit.”

However, he added that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the provincial government and it should fulfil its responsibility.

He said there was no lack of competent people in the province.

“When you see things worsening around you and you are not in a position to control the situation so you cannot just keep sitting to get Rs40,000 salary,” Nawab Magsi said.

He rejected reports suggesting that Nawab Aslam Raisani was being replaced by his brother Mir Lashkari Raisani. “These are just rumours,” he said.

Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, Speaker Aslam Bhootani, Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa, IGP Asif Nawaz Waraich and provincial ministers attended the ceremony.

Police officials who were awarded presidential medals are: SSP Syed Javed Iqbal Gharsheen, late DSP Khalid Gurmakani (QPM), SI Asghar Ali (QPM), SI Abdul Jabbar (QPM) ASI Abdul Sattar (QPM), ASI Manzoor Ahmed (PPM), Inspector Sher Ahmed (PPM), head constable Abdul Razaq (PPM) constables Mohammad Hasan (QPM) Abdul Aziz (QPM), Saeed Khan(QPM), Hazoor Bakhsh (QPM), Mohammad Hanif (QPM), Pir Mohammad (PPM), Mohammad Hasan (QPM) Qadir Bakhsh (QPM), Mohammad Ayub (QPM) and ASI Dad Khuda (QPM).