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Published 28 Feb, 2012 02:35am

Secession to compound problem, says Raisani

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has said he believes in dialogue for resolving the issues being faced by the province, but Baloch nationalists are not ready for talks because they only want independence.

Talking to EU Ambassador to Pakistan Lars-Gunner Wigemark who had called on him at the Chief Minister's House on Monday, Mr Raisani said there was possibility of a civil war breaking out in the province if efforts were made for Balochistan's secession.

The chief minister said there were confirmed reports of involvement of a foreign hand in the unrest in Balochistan.

He told the EU envoy that every Baloch Sardar and Nawab had his own area and nobody was under control of the other.

Therefore, maintaining law and order and normal life would be impossible and there would be a big disaster if Balochistan was separated from the country.

Mr Raisani said the decision to initiate talks with Baloch leaders had been taken by the federal government and Balochistan Governor Nawab Magsi and he himself, as the chief minister and the chief of Sarawan tribe, and some other tribal elders would play an important role in talks with Baloch nationalists.

The chief minister said he had always maintained that the issue of missing people and dumping of bullet-riddled bodies had worsened the situation and fanned hatred.

He said he believed that if someone was accused he should be produced before the court.

The chief minister said the list of missing people contained names of some people who were now living in Afghanistan or running their businesses in Dubai.

The chief minister said the name of Ms Zarina Marri was included in the list, although there was no lady teacher of this name in the government record in Kohlu district.

He said the prime minister had accepted a proposal of the provincial government that more jobs should be given for educated youths of Balochistan.

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