Pak PM says govt ready to hold talks with Baloch leaders

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Islamabad, Oct.9: Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf, on Tuesday said his government is ready to hold talks with the Baloch leaders, but added that they must take place under a constitutional framework.

Addressing a session of the Senate in Islamabad, Ashraf said Balochistan was the government’s first priority.

He added that true representatives were the ones elected by the people and therefore the Baloch leadership must participate in the elections.

The Dawn further quoted him, as saying that it was due to democracy that a man like himself, who came from the middle class, had become the country’s prime minister. He added that countless sacrifices had been made in order to uphold democracy.

He assured the Senate that the government was fully aware of the challenges faced by the country, adding that, neither was the government negligent nor was it evading its responsibilities. He also said that it was the duty of the parliament to resolve the various issues and address the challenges.

Ashraf said the country had been enduring the torment of terrorism for a long time, adding that, the attack on Malala Yousufzai, the teenage peace activist, was a manifestation of the same mindset.

The premier said that restoring the Constitution, the implementation of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and the passage of the 18th Amendment were some of the major accomplishments of the current parliament.

He added that the sustaining democracy was imperative for the country’s progress. (ANI)