ISLAMABAD, March 24: The federal cabinet on Thursday vowed to seek a resolution of the Balochistan issue through dialogue but reiterated that the writ of the state would be established and national installations would be protected. The cabinet, at a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, reviewed the overall national situation with particular reference to Balochistan. Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao briefed the cabinet on the conditions prevailing in the troubled areas of the province. The cabinet was also informed about the meeting of PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Secretary-General Mushahid Hussain with Nawab Akbar Bugti in Dera Bugti which, the cabinet said, was in line with the government’s desire to seek the resolution of the Balochistan issue through dialogue.
The cabinet was also briefed by Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Mohammad Ali Durrani who was part of a 15-member parliamentary team which visited Sui and Dera Bugti on Tuesday.
He said most of the parliamentarians in the team were from the opposition side which indicated the sincerity of the government in taking the opposition along on the issue.
Moreover, he said, the presence of national and international media during the visit also reinforced government’s assertion that no military operation was under way in Balochistan.
The cabinet expressed its concern over the losses caused by recent rains in the country. Prime Minister Aziz informed the meeting that directions had been issued to the provincial governments to assess the damage caused to crops and property so that appropriate compensatory measures could be initiated by the federal government.
The cabinet approved a plan to regulate cotton hedge trading in the country within the ambit of the Cotton Act 1957.
It also approved a legal framework order which accords representation to the newly-created district of Astore in the Northern Areas Council, adding six seats for technocrats.
The cabinet approved the Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
It approved ratification of agreements between Pakistan and China and between Pakistan and Azerbaijan relating to customs. It also ratified an agreement on repatriation of offenders between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Earlier, the cabinet congratulated the armed forces for putting up an impressive Pakistan Day parade. It also praised arrangements made by the local administration for people’s convenience.