HYDERABAD, March 19: Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro has claimed that no operation is being conducted in Balochistan and said the issue will be settled in accordance with recommendations of the parliamentary committee. Answering journalists’ questions after attending the fourth convocation of the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences on Saturday, he dispelled the impression that any military operation was under way in Balochistan.

When he was pressed further to comment on the situation in Dera Bugti and Sui where many people had reportedly lost their lives, Mr Soomro said, “I have the same comments about the situation as presented by the federal minister on the floor of the House.”

When asked what did the statement of President Gen Pervez Musharraf mean about electing moderate persons in the next general as well as local bodies’ elections and whether he was referring to the Pakistan People’s Party as moderates, the Senate chairman said President Gen Musharraf wanted that progressive forces were elected in the forthcoming polls who could continue and support anti-terrorism efforts. “I cannot comment as to whom the president is calling moderates. He is asking people to elect the right people in the elections”, Mr Soomro added.

The Senate chairman maintained that the million march of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal would not create any law and order situation in the country because provincial governments were taking necessary steps to keep the situation under control.

Earlier, speaking as chief guest at the convocation, Mr Soomro congratulated recipients of degrees and urged them to provide best medical aid to poor people, especially by working in remote areas.

He stressed the need for quality education in universities with particular emphasis on research activities. He asked the LUMHS administration to continue organizing conferences and seminars.

Mr Soomro said that the government was giving importance and attention to higher education and added that medial education was its foremost priority.

He said that the LUMHS had come a long way in its journey from a medial school to a college and then to the level of university, the first public sector medical university in the country.

He observed that the university had made its mark within and outside the country through its different phases of progress in a couple of years by its dedicated team of professionals.