QUETTA, July 13: Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has held foreign intelligence agencies responsible for the law and order problem in Balochistan but noted that with steps taken by the government security situation had started showing signs of improvement.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said a mini-insurgency, terrorism, and religious and sectarian hatred were affecting the province badly. “We have enough proofs of involvement of foreign intelligence agencies in Balochistan.”

Mr Malik said he had discussed with officials of ISI, MI, IB and other relevant agencies and institutions the issue of target killings and bullet-riddled bodies and it was observed during these meetings that foreign agencies were involved in these incidents.

He said foreign agencies were using Baloch youths and paying them handsome money for their nefarious designs.

However, he said, the situation had been brought under control and peace was returning to the province.

The minister rejected a claim of nationalist parties that Pakistani agencies were kidnapping the Baloch youth and throwing their bodies and promised strict action against it if any agency was found involved in such practice.

He said the federal government would provide 25,000 jobs to the people of Balochistan in order to end unemployment in the province. He claimed that local people had already been recruited in coast guard and other forces and completed their training and were now serving in different areas of the province.

In reply to a question, he said the government was ready to hold dialogue with angry nationalist leaders. However, he warned that no one would be allowed to set the Pakistani flag on fire. “Pakistan will not disintegrate as it was created to live forever.”