QUETTA: Members of the treasury bench in the Balochistan Assembly claimed on Tuesday that incidents of kidnappings for ransom and other crimes had reduced by 60 per cent and alleged that opposition members were making hue and cry to misguide people.

The treasury members, mostly ministers, were responding to the concern expressed by the opposition on Monday over the law and order situation in the province.

Also read: Crime rate in Balochistan down by 22 per cent: CM

The ministers said the situation had improved because of the effective steps taken by the coalition government, adding that 20-year-old problems could not be solved overnight.

Spozmi Achakzai, one of the members of the panel of chairmen, presided over the session.

Ministers Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Rehmatullah Baloch, Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai and Mir Mujibur Rehman Mohammad Hasni and treasury member Dr Shama Ishaq took part in the debate.

They claimed that during the previous government, people could not travel to Nushki or Khuzdar because of lack of security, but now they could visit any part of Balochistan. They accused the opposition of not supporting the government in its action against terrorists and criminals and efforts for restoring peace in the province.

The ministers said criminal elements would not be allowed to challenge the writ of the government and would be dealt with iron hands. They said the government would welcome positive criticism by the opposition, but while condemning the government over the law and order situation they should also suggest measures to improve the situation.

The ministers said the situation had improved because neither the chief minister nor any influential figure interfered in the affairs of the police department or administration. Transfers and postings of deputy commissioners and district police officers were made purely on merit, and not on the recommendations of political or tribal personalities, they claimed.

They said the opposition members had the right to criticise the government over the issue of dumping of mutilated bodies or missing persons, but at the same time they should also praise the role of law-enforcement agencies whose personnel were sacrificing their lives in the fight against terrorists and militants.

Published in Dawn March 11th , 2015

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