Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday said the government, despite its financial constraints, would ensure provision of funds for public welfare programmes in Balochistan.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat here on issues relating to Balochistan.

The Prime Minister mentioned the financing of mega projects particularly Gwadar Ratu Dero Road, Kachhi Canal, and the Gwadar Deep sea port on priority basis.

He said the federal government had committed 6,000 scholarships for the youth of Balochistan for higher studies within the country and abroad. Besides, he said, focus was being laid on establishment of vocational and technical centers at the provincial and divisional headquarters of the province.

The Prime Minister said the federal government had committed an amount of one billion rupees for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Balochistan’s Dera Bugti district.

He said, “I categorically declare that Balochistan issue is on my priority list and I have invited disgruntled Baloch leaders to start dialogue with the government to resolve the crisis at the earliest.”

Prime Minister Ashraf said the federal government was fully aware of the past excesses made to the people and the province which caused a serious sense of deprivation.

He said the self-styled independence of federal agencies was being checked and it would be ensured that these should not act independently in connection with law and order issue. He said rather these agencies should provide assistance to the provincial government in aid to civil power as and when required.

The PM said although the politically motivated activities in Balochistan were quite serious, but the graph of conventional crimes in the province was also on rise.

The PM said the government was committed to provide funds to the tune of Rs two billion for the purchase of arms ammunition, communication equipments and required transport for the police and levies of the province.

He directed the Balochistan government to speed up its efforts for protecting the highways, key installations particularly gas and electricity so that the pace of development is properly maintained.

The menace of kidnapping for ransom also needs to be curbed with an iron fist, he added.

The Prime Minister said the government withdrew many cases of political workers not involved in heinous crimes and added that a number of missing persons were reunited with their families.

He said withdrawal of army and deployment of Frontier Constabulary brought tangible results.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said the Frontier Constabulary was directed to seek guidance and instructions from the Chief Minister Balochistan on the issues of internal security of the province.