PM seeks tribal elders’ input to woo disgruntled Baloch

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought input from tribal elders to identify flaws in governance and woo the disgruntled Baloch to engage in dialogue with the government.

A grand jirga on the situation in Balochistan was held in Quetta, which was also attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other senior officials.

The jirga began with the national anthem, after which Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Sarfraz Bugti welcomed participants, saying he was grateful for their presence and stressed that such national jirgas should continue to find solutions to long-standing problems.

Prime Minister Sharif said he was honoured to attend the jirga and congratulated the nation on its recent “Marak-e-Haq.”

“Our enemies are in shock, and the morale of our friends is sky high,” he said praising the armed forces, who, he said, delivered India a defeat it would never forget.

“We have avenged 1971. When Pakistan became a nuclear power, the world saw how we shook the enemy’s nerves with six nuclear tests.”

Also said: Indian proxies: Five eliminated in Balochistan operations

Addressing the grievances of the province, the prime minister said, “If Balochistan has complaints, they should be addressed in the spirit of brotherhood. Terrorists are bloodthirsty and have no interest in Pakistan’s progress — it is up to you to foil their designs. Tell us what shortcomings we can overcome with your advice.”

He noted that the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award would not have been signed if Punjab had not contributed funds from its share to meet Balochistan’s demands.

“This is not a favour. When fuel prices dropped, we decided to allocate the savings to develop roads in Balochistan for the public’s ease. Similarly, we are working to provide solar energy systems to farmers in the province and help with their electricity bills.”

Speaking directly to the tribal elders, Shehbaz said: “If you have complaints, we are ready to listen with respect. But terrorists only know brutality. Those who have strayed need to be brought back — and for that, we must all put in our best efforts.”

He said that no injustice would be tolerated against Balochistan under his government.

“Let the Baloch tribal elders sit together, discuss the problems, and tell us what needs to be fixed. Dialogue is the key to a prosperous family.”

The prime minister also announced of the Rs1 trillion development programme of the country, Balochistan’s share would be Rs250 billion in the next budget, adding that the funds would be utilised transparently.