KARACHI, Feb 18: The interior minister, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, has expressed concern over the extensive damage done to the infrastructure in Balochistan due to the recent flash floods , adding that Balochistan being a backward area required special attention.

Speaking at a news conference at the Karachi Airport after a visit to the affected areas of Balochistan on Friday evening, he said that focus was on restoration of the damage infrastructure on priority basis so that life could return to normal as early as possible there.

The minister had paid a visit to Pasni, Khuzdar and Gawadar to assess damages due to the flash floods in Balochistan, besides overseeing the relief work there.

He said that relief operations in rain affected areas of Balochistan were in full swing, pointing out that relief goods amounting to billions of rupees had been made available to the people in the affected areas in Balochistan as well as in the Northern Areas. However, Mr Sherpao said there was not much loss to human lives in Balochistan.

Speaking of law and order in Balochistan, Mr Sherpao said that elements who were bent upon creating tension there and inflicting damage to installations of vital national importance cannot be friends of the province.

He said four arrests had been made from the Sui area and two from Quetta, adding that a cache of arms and ammunition had also been recovered from them. Referring to the incidents in Sui, in which lives were lost and the gas plant affected, the minister said the plant remained shut for many days, which made an impact not only on industry but also caused inconvenience to domestic gas consumers.

Besides, Mr Sherpao said there had been missile attacks, explosions on railway lines, damage to electricity and telecommunication towers in Quetta, Sui, D.G. Khan tri-junction.

He said that an attempt was being made to create an impression that a number of incidents were occurring in Balochistan, and in the way involved elements wanted to exert pressure. -APP