LAHORE, March 19: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Saturday that doors were open for dialogue on Balochistan issue, and added that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure law and order, security and writ of the government in the province. Responding to newsmen’s questions in Lahore, he said at present there was a ceasefire in the area and no action was taking place there. He said a special plane carrying parliamentarians and journalists was to leave for the area on Saturday. However, as soon as the security situation got clearer there, they would be able to visit the area to assess the situation themselves. Mr Aziz said if someone attacked innocent civilians and personnel of the law-enforcing agencies, measures against such attacks would be taken. He said the government had decided to hold meetings of the Balochistan Committee on a daily basis from Monday. He hoped that a durable solution of Balochistan’s problem would be reached at the earliest.

The prime minister reiterated that doors were open for reconciliation, but the writ of the government would be established.—PPI