QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said on Monday that hostile agencies want to weaken Pakistan by supporting militants in the province. But, he added, all conspiracies against the country would be foiled.

He was speaking at an event organised to celebrate Youm-i-Takbir at the Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) .

Despite international pressure and threats, he said, Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998 and showed its power to the world. “Balochistan is on the radar due to its geopolitical importance. Our enemies are trying to destabilise Pakistan by supporting militants in the province. But all conspiracies against the country will be foiled by the unity of the masses,” said the chief minister.

Criticising nationalists in the province, he said the nation had been divided by ethnic differences.

People belonging to all ethnic groups who live in Balochistan should work hard for the prosperity of the province, Mr Bizenjo said. “As Pakistanis we have to lead the country peacefully towards development rather than creating an atmosphere of hate and intolerance,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2018