— File photo

QUETTA: Balochistan Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Ruquiya Saeed Hashmi has said the provincial cabinet should be consulted before initiating dialogue with estranged Baloch leaders.

Talking to newsmen here on Thursday, she said serious efforts and consultations were needed to resolve the problems being faced by the province.

However, she said the authorities empowered to initiate talks with the angry Baloch leaders and other stakeholders should consult the members of the provincial cabinet because the ministers had the right to know about the fate of their province.

“Some members of the Balochistan cabinet have blood relations with those leaders and they can play a pivotal role in the talks.”

The provincial minister, who belongs to the PML-Q, praised President Asif Ali Zardari’s move of giving the task to Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Chief Minister Aslam Raisani to hold dialogue with the estranged leaders for bringing them into mainstream politics.

She praised the government’s decision regarding withdrawal of cases against Baloch leaders Nawabzada Brahamdagh Bugti and Hyarbyar Marri and expressed the hope that it would help improve the situation.

She, however, expressed concern over deteriorating law and order in the province, particularly kidnapping of citizens for ransom, targeted killings and highway robberies. She said kidnappings and targeted killings of teachers were badly damaging the province’s education system.

“Law-enforcement agencies have to curb heinous crimes,” she said, adding that the unabated wave of crimes had created a feeling of insecurity among people.

Dr Hashmi said the insecurity had damaged Balochistan’s economy.

“Local and foreign investors will not came for investment in the industrial sector of Balochistan until law and order is maintained.”

She said the authorities concerned would have to take stern action against the criminal mafia. The minister underlined the need to promote religious harmony.

Dr Hashmi said the government should take practical steps to get electricity from Iran that had offered to supply 1,000 megawatts to the country.