QUETTA Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Nabil Gabol has said that the Gwadar Port agreement with Singapore Port Authority would be thoroughly reviewed in the interest of Balochistan and it can also be cancelled. He expressed these views while addressing a press conference along with Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani in the Port city on Saturday, Dawn reported.

The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping stated that if the fruits of the Gwadar project did not reach to the masses, then such an agreement could be cancelled. He said that personally he thought that the control of the port should be given to Balochistan government so that the province would prosper and develop in future.

Nabil Gabol said that local people should be given jobs in Gwadar Deep Sea Port to end the prevailing sense of deprivation among the people. He re-iterated that the reservations and apprehensions of locals would be addressed by the federal government.

He went on to say that the brutal policies of the past would not be repeated and all out efforts would be made to bring Baluchistan at par with other developed parts of the country. However, he said that the development projects which undermine the basic rights of indigenous people would not be allowed and policies would be framed as per the aspiration and interests of masses in the future.

The Federal Minister for Shipping and Ports stated that past regime`s dictatorial approach has developed sense of deprivation among people of Balochistan, saying that a lot needs to be done to heal wounds of its people.

He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party has already sought a pardon from people of Balochistan over past injustices, and the indifferent attitude of the centre towards the province. Gabol gave assurances that the Balochistan issue would be resolved on a priority basis and repeated that protecting the rights of Balochis is in the interest of Pakistan.

Furthermore, speaking to the United News of India, he said steps had been taken to ensure security in the region, and that Pakistan respects UNSC resolutions and has moved to dismantle terror outfits such as Lashkar-i-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa.

He said `It has a responsibility to bring to justice perpetrators and conspirators of Mumbai terror attack. If Pakistan fails to do so it will lose credibility as a nation state and will face isolation in the international community.`