QUETTA: While giving another chance of negotiation to the self-exiled Baloch leaders, Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has said that his government is ready to hold talks with Khan of Kalat Agha Suleman Dawood Ahmedzai and other people for the betterment of the province.

“Khan of Kalat is respectable for all of us and the [Baloch] people living abroad are sons of the soil,” he said, adding that a committee comprising senior leaders of Balochistan could be constituted for the talks.

The fresh offer was made in the presence of former chief minister of Balochistan Sardar Mohammad Saleh Bhootani, provincial ministers, tribal elders and journalists at the residence of Mr Bhootani where a dinner had been hosted in the honour of the newly elected chief minister.

Mr Bizenjo said that the new provincial government was planning to launch development work in all districts. “We are preparing master plans for each district for equal development,” he said.

He invited those living in foreign countries to return home and play their role in the progress and development of Balochistan.

The CM had already given the Feb 15 deadline to the relevant authorities to release funds for all development projects included in the current financial year’s public sector development programme.

Later, in a meeting with the chief executive officer of a Chinese cement and construction company on Monday, Mr Bizenjo pledged to develop Balochistan by encouraging and patronising investment. For this, he said, his government would frame a comprehensive economic policy with greater emphasis on economic development. He said the provincial government would welcome investment at any scale for which the government had taken measures to ensure durable peace and stability.

Meanwhile, a delegation of local government representatives called on the chief minister and discussed with him the disbursement of salaries to the chairmen of the district councils across Balo­chistan. He approved the idea and issued instructions in this regard to the relevant department.

He assured them that the matter would be given approval at the cabinet meeting. He said his government had fully activated the state machinery to solve the pressing problems of people by making local councils more effective.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2018