QUETTA: Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Saturday that the slogan for independence from Pakistan was only being raised by a handful of people in Balochistan and that it was not a popular demand in the province, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives in Quetta, Kaira said that the impression that the government had not made sufficient efforts to alleviate the situation in Balochistan was false, adding that, the provincial government had the responsibility to establish peace in the province and provide security to the citizens.

Kaira had arrived in the province along with other members of the committee formed by the federal cabinet to present a report on the law and order and human rights situation in Balochistan.

The minister said that the government would address the issues of those raising the slogan for secession.

He said the government would analyse what steps were needed to resolve the province's issues, adding that, the committee would prepare a list of recommendations to be presented before the federal cabinet.

Kaira moreover reiterated that only the current government had given autonomy to the provinces.