QUETTA Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani, has said he would resist every move aimed at converting the Baloch majority population into minority in the port city of Gwadar.

I will not allow anyone to convert the majority Baloch population into minority in Gwadar at any cost, he told Dawn while talking from Gwadar on Saturday.

The Balochistan Chief Minister said only the indeginious people of Gwadar have the right to vote here as the people coming from other parts of the country would have no right of vote. He said the Gwadar Deep Sea Port Project should not be politicised rather it should be used for business purposes.

Nawab Aslam Raisani stated that the sensitive political situation of Balochistan calls for a political solution of the issues.  He said the Baloch people have to be given the assurance that they are part of the federation and their rights on their resources should be accepted.

The Chief Minister observed that the area can only get developed if locals are given their rights. He said the delay in making the Port functional is giving rise to the doubts among the Baloch masses and the provincial government. He said the people fear that there are some elements who are deliberately applying the delaying tactics in terms of making the Port functional.

Raisani said the future of province is linked with the development of Gwadar, adding that the province is bestowed with rich mineral and natural resources. He, however, made it clear that all attempts of making the Gwadar Port a failed project will be foiled.