QUETTA: The cabinet committee on Balochistan enjoyed “complete support” of the army and other important institutions in its efforts to secure peace in the pro-vince, Defence Minister Naveed Qamar, who heads the body, said on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference after holding talks with delegations of the JUI-F, BNP-Awami, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Jamaat-i-Islami, the minister said the committee would try to approach all stakeholders to get their views on the matter.

Members of the committee — Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H. Naek, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Jamali and Minister for Postal Services Sardar Omar Gorgaij — were present on the occasion.

The Balochistan National Party (Mengal) and National Party refused to meet the committee, saying they would not hold negotiations with a body which has no powers to take any decision.

Naveed Qamar dispelled an impression that the committee did not enjoy any powers, saying that “we have taken on board all powerful state institutions, including the Pakistan Army and the Inter Services Intelligence”.

“We are holding negotiations with the leadership of Balochistan with full authority,” Mr Qamar added..

In reply to a question, he said the delegations shared their viewpoints and perceptions about the law and order, missing persons and unemployment in Balochistan.

He said “people who had fled to mountains” were not the sole representative of the province. The PPP-led government believed in seeking a political solution to the Balochistan problem through dialogue with political and nationalist leadership of the province, he said.

“We are ready to visit the nationalist leaders who did not call on the committee today,” he said.

He said the committee was hopeful that it would succeed in normalising the situation in the province through steps for restoration of law and order and by addressing the matter of alienation in the province.

He said the committee would submit its recommendations to the federal cabinet after holding talks with all stakeholders.

In reply to another question, the defence minister said that law and order was a provincial subject, but the federal government would help the Balochistan government in tackling lawlessness, highway robberies, kidnappings for ransom and other heinous crimes.

He said the committee was aware of injustices and atrocities perpetrated against the people of Balochistan by the previous government, but all resources would be utilised to remove a sense of deprivation among the Baloch people by taking concreted measures to resolve their problems at their doorsteps.

He said the federal government was serious to resolve the grievances of people of Balochistan.

Mr Qamar insisted that the Aghaz-i-Haqooqe-i-Balochistan, a huge share in the 7th NFC Award and jobs created for youths of the province would yield positive results in the days to come.

Chief Minister Aslam Raisani and Balochistan Assembly speaker Aslam Bhootani were also present during the meetings.

Mr Bhootani also submitted his proposals to the committee.

Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad briefed the committee on the law and order situation and measures taken by the provincial government to maintain peace.