Pakistan’s flip-flop on Balochistan continues
12 Dec 2009, 0134 hrs IST, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: Pakistan went back to targeting India over Balochistan with Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani accusing India of interfering
in Pakistan through Afghanistan.
Mr Gilani claimed that he had asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop New Delhi’s involvement in backing terror and that the Sharm el Sheikh
joint statement illustrated this point.
“Fact was brought to notice in writing with the joint statement issued after my meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Sharm el Sheikh,”
he was quoted as saying in a Pakistani newspaper.
Mr Gilani further claimed that he had asked his Indian counterpart to stop New Delhi’s involvement in backing terrorist activities.
But his remarks also show the disconnect within the Pakistani government. Mr Gilani’s remarks comes after the Pakistani foreign ministry said there
was not enough evidence to back the claim of Indian involvement in Balochistan.
Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said evidence against New Delhi was not enough and that more evidence is needed to
‘plausibly argue’ that India is involved in insurgency activities inside Pakistan.
But Mr Gilani maintianed that there was evidence and that it was up to the Pakistani government and military to decide when the evidence would be
disclosed.
“As far as the evidence is concerned, it is the government and military’s prerogative to decide when and where provide them,” he added.
The Pakistani prime minister also pushed for the resumption of the composite dialogue process and said that the US and the international community
should help revive the peace process.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Balochistan package: PC proposes allocation of Rs 31
billion for 36 projects
ZAFAR BHUTTA
ISLAMABAD (December 12 2009): The Planning Commission has proposed allocation of Rs 31 billion under the Balochistan package, which is Rs 7.8
billion less than the package allocated for the Prime Minister's constituency, Multan, informed sources told Business Recorder on Friday. The Planning
Commission has finalised a list of 36 projects valued at Rs 31 billion under the Balochistan package.
This list will be submitted to Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for approval and recommendation to the Executive Committee of the National
Economic Council (Ecnec). The special meeting of CDWP was scheduled to meet on December 9, but was postponed as the venue of the meeting was
changed from the Planning Commission to Balochistan.
"We are waiting for clearance from the Balochistan government to convene a special meeting of CDWP," sources said, adding that the Prime Minister
would also participate in the meeting. The Federal government intends to signal the Federation's commitment to the development of Balochistan
province and its people.
The Rs 31 billion Balochistan package compares unfavourably with the Rs 38.180 billion allocated for Multan. Under the Multan package, Rs 13.2 billion
funds will be released during the 2009-10 fiscal year. The Larkana package is valued at Rs 9.6 billion and the government has already allocated Rs 2.1
billion during the current financial year, said the sources.
Under the Balochistan package, the Planning Commission identified five projects in food and agriculture, one in education, 12 projects in industry and
commerce, four projects in physical planning, 14 projects in transport and two projects in the water sector.
In mining sector, the CDWP will consider Reko Diq gold and copper, costing Rs 5.892 billion with foreign exchange component of Rs 2.947 million.
According to joint venture agreement of Reko-Diq project, Chilean mining company, Antofagasta, and Canadian company, Barrick Gold, jointly hold 75
percent and the Balochistan government 25 percent shares.
The two foreign companies estimated an investment of five billion dollars over a period of five years with an investment of one billion to three billion
dollars in the first phase to produce 72, 000 tons of copper per annum. After full commissioning of the project, the annual export of copper is forecast at
400,000 tons.
The Planning Commission focused on development of road infrastructure that is considered essential to boost trade activities in Gwadar Port. The
CDWP will consider construction/upgradation of Dirgi-Shabozai (N-70) to Taunsa project, costing Rs 7.478 billion; reconstruction of the 110-kilometre-
long National Highways N-30 worth Rs 4454.631 million; and construction of Sibbi-Dhadar section costing Rs 1,008.8 million.
The other projects include: construction of Kanj irrigation scheme in Mawand area of district Kahlu worth Rs 16.437 million; six dispersal structures on
Nario river-Phase ii worth Rs 1.172 billion; and construction of Ghazi Khokhor dispersal structures costing Rs 859 million.
In food and agriculture sector, fisheries sector has been given more importance and "strengthening of fisheries infrastructure along Sindh and
Balochistan" worth Rs 1,999.64 million will be tabled before the CDWP. Balochistan province is rich in oil, gas and mineral reserves and the CDWP is
likely to approve "acquisition of three drilling rigs for Geological Survey of Pakistan" costing Rs 238.561 million.
http://www.brecorder.com
News
Friday, December 11, 2009
Balochistan package cosmetic arrangement of issues: PML-N
By Rana Kashif
LAHORE: Announcements made under the Balochistan package are just a cosmetic arrangement of abstract resolves to the issues of the defocused
province, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif said on Thursday.
He said the package announced by the government was insufficient and the government would have to go a long way to resolve the problems of the
Baloch, as the task required serious efforts.
Separately, PML-N sources told Daily Times that the party leadership was not happy over the package announced during the joint session of parliament
on Wednesday.
They said the leadership believed that the situation would lead to devastating circumstances in case the government did not make efforts in an earnest
manner.
To a question, Asif said although the suggestions forwarded by the PML-N had been kept in view while planning the Balochistan package, it would take
more than just an announcement to address the grievances of the Baloch.
The government announced to form a commission on Nawab Akbar Bugti’s killing, but a commission was also made regarding Liaqat Ali Khan’s
murder, he said, adding that the government was not willing to take stern action against former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf. “What is the use of a
package on which the Balochistan chief minister and Baloch parliamentarians have shown dissatisfaction?” he said.
The PML-N leader said the Gwadar Port, gas and various other projects of Balochistan needed to be settled in an earnest manner to provide relief to the
Baloch.
Concerning the withdrawal of forces from Balochistan, he said the force had been sent there four times. “Earlier, the people of Balochistan were incited
to raise arms, and now so-called efforts are being made to pacify them,” he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk
http://www.pakistanlink.com
Pakistan’s “anchrocarcy”
By Malik Siraj Akbar: December 12, 2009...5:41 pm
News One, a Pakistani private news channel, invited me last night to speak in one of its one-hour talk shows. The topic of the discussion was Indian’s
involvement in Balochistan and the state of security in the province. The reason I agreed to speak in the show, despite knowing that it is the same
channel that provides time and space to lunatic “Pakistani nationalist” Zaid Hamid, was because the anchorperson said he was an ex-colleague from
Daily Times.
As the talk show began, the anchorperson expected me to confirm that India was responsible for the mess in Balochistan. I said no. He interrupted and
said but there was solid evidence. I said that had never been presented publically.
“So are you trying to say India is not involved in the affairs of the Balochistan,” he asked for the third time.
“No,” I said, ” Balochistan is an indigenous issue.”
“Malik sahib,” he interrupted me for the fourth time,” speak as a journalist. Be objective. Now tell me, is India destabilizing Pakistan via Balochistan or
not?”
“Well, I come from the school of thought that believes Balochistan is an internal matter of Pakistan. India never directed Musharraf to kill Nawab Bugti nor
was the plan for ‘missing persons’ prepared by RAW,” I snapped.
I was interrupted again. It was the forth rude interruption.
“Malik sahib we don’t want someone from a ’school of thought’. We want someone to tell us the actual ground situation from Balochistan. Tell us the
“facts” how India is supporting the Baloch movement?”
This time I was annoyed. I protested.
“Mr. Amjad [name of the anchorperson] why are you trying to put words in my mouth? Why are you not allowing me to speak? Why do you keep
interrupting me? Please don’t expect me to give replies as you desire,” I said.
As I refused to give answers as they expected, the news channel conceitedly cut me off air. On the other hand, another participant in the same talk-show
from the government side who was “100% sure” about India’s involvement in Balochistan, was allowed to speak throughout the show.
Of course, I was not disappointed by this attitude of the ‘anchrocarcy’ in Pakistan. I only came to know why Islamabad fails to understand Balochs and
Balochistan. They think everyone is a purchasable commodity. I am sorry. I am not the right person to take online next time. No India-Israel-Jewish-
bashing can I do. Wrong number.
http://baluchsarmachar.wordpress.com
12 Dec 2009, 0134 hrs IST, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: Pakistan went back to targeting India over Balochistan with Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani accusing India of interfering
in Pakistan through Afghanistan.
Mr Gilani claimed that he had asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop New Delhi’s involvement in backing terror and that the Sharm el Sheikh
joint statement illustrated this point.
“Fact was brought to notice in writing with the joint statement issued after my meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Sharm el Sheikh,”
he was quoted as saying in a Pakistani newspaper.
Mr Gilani further claimed that he had asked his Indian counterpart to stop New Delhi’s involvement in backing terrorist activities.
But his remarks also show the disconnect within the Pakistani government. Mr Gilani’s remarks comes after the Pakistani foreign ministry said there
was not enough evidence to back the claim of Indian involvement in Balochistan.
Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said evidence against New Delhi was not enough and that more evidence is needed to
‘plausibly argue’ that India is involved in insurgency activities inside Pakistan.
But Mr Gilani maintianed that there was evidence and that it was up to the Pakistani government and military to decide when the evidence would be
disclosed.
“As far as the evidence is concerned, it is the government and military’s prerogative to decide when and where provide them,” he added.
The Pakistani prime minister also pushed for the resumption of the composite dialogue process and said that the US and the international community
should help revive the peace process.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Balochistan package: PC proposes allocation of Rs 31
billion for 36 projects
ZAFAR BHUTTA
ISLAMABAD (December 12 2009): The Planning Commission has proposed allocation of Rs 31 billion under the Balochistan package, which is Rs 7.8
billion less than the package allocated for the Prime Minister's constituency, Multan, informed sources told Business Recorder on Friday. The Planning
Commission has finalised a list of 36 projects valued at Rs 31 billion under the Balochistan package.
This list will be submitted to Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for approval and recommendation to the Executive Committee of the National
Economic Council (Ecnec). The special meeting of CDWP was scheduled to meet on December 9, but was postponed as the venue of the meeting was
changed from the Planning Commission to Balochistan.
"We are waiting for clearance from the Balochistan government to convene a special meeting of CDWP," sources said, adding that the Prime Minister
would also participate in the meeting. The Federal government intends to signal the Federation's commitment to the development of Balochistan
province and its people.
The Rs 31 billion Balochistan package compares unfavourably with the Rs 38.180 billion allocated for Multan. Under the Multan package, Rs 13.2 billion
funds will be released during the 2009-10 fiscal year. The Larkana package is valued at Rs 9.6 billion and the government has already allocated Rs 2.1
billion during the current financial year, said the sources.
Under the Balochistan package, the Planning Commission identified five projects in food and agriculture, one in education, 12 projects in industry and
commerce, four projects in physical planning, 14 projects in transport and two projects in the water sector.
In mining sector, the CDWP will consider Reko Diq gold and copper, costing Rs 5.892 billion with foreign exchange component of Rs 2.947 million.
According to joint venture agreement of Reko-Diq project, Chilean mining company, Antofagasta, and Canadian company, Barrick Gold, jointly hold 75
percent and the Balochistan government 25 percent shares.
The two foreign companies estimated an investment of five billion dollars over a period of five years with an investment of one billion to three billion
dollars in the first phase to produce 72, 000 tons of copper per annum. After full commissioning of the project, the annual export of copper is forecast at
400,000 tons.
The Planning Commission focused on development of road infrastructure that is considered essential to boost trade activities in Gwadar Port. The
CDWP will consider construction/upgradation of Dirgi-Shabozai (N-70) to Taunsa project, costing Rs 7.478 billion; reconstruction of the 110-kilometre-
long National Highways N-30 worth Rs 4454.631 million; and construction of Sibbi-Dhadar section costing Rs 1,008.8 million.
The other projects include: construction of Kanj irrigation scheme in Mawand area of district Kahlu worth Rs 16.437 million; six dispersal structures on
Nario river-Phase ii worth Rs 1.172 billion; and construction of Ghazi Khokhor dispersal structures costing Rs 859 million.
In food and agriculture sector, fisheries sector has been given more importance and "strengthening of fisheries infrastructure along Sindh and
Balochistan" worth Rs 1,999.64 million will be tabled before the CDWP. Balochistan province is rich in oil, gas and mineral reserves and the CDWP is
likely to approve "acquisition of three drilling rigs for Geological Survey of Pakistan" costing Rs 238.561 million.
http://www.brecorder.com
News
Friday, December 11, 2009
Balochistan package cosmetic arrangement of issues: PML-N
By Rana Kashif
LAHORE: Announcements made under the Balochistan package are just a cosmetic arrangement of abstract resolves to the issues of the defocused
province, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif said on Thursday.
He said the package announced by the government was insufficient and the government would have to go a long way to resolve the problems of the
Baloch, as the task required serious efforts.
Separately, PML-N sources told Daily Times that the party leadership was not happy over the package announced during the joint session of parliament
on Wednesday.
They said the leadership believed that the situation would lead to devastating circumstances in case the government did not make efforts in an earnest
manner.
To a question, Asif said although the suggestions forwarded by the PML-N had been kept in view while planning the Balochistan package, it would take
more than just an announcement to address the grievances of the Baloch.
The government announced to form a commission on Nawab Akbar Bugti’s killing, but a commission was also made regarding Liaqat Ali Khan’s
murder, he said, adding that the government was not willing to take stern action against former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf. “What is the use of a
package on which the Balochistan chief minister and Baloch parliamentarians have shown dissatisfaction?” he said.
The PML-N leader said the Gwadar Port, gas and various other projects of Balochistan needed to be settled in an earnest manner to provide relief to the
Baloch.
Concerning the withdrawal of forces from Balochistan, he said the force had been sent there four times. “Earlier, the people of Balochistan were incited
to raise arms, and now so-called efforts are being made to pacify them,” he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk
http://www.pakistanlink.com
Pakistan’s “anchrocarcy”
By Malik Siraj Akbar: December 12, 2009...5:41 pm
News One, a Pakistani private news channel, invited me last night to speak in one of its one-hour talk shows. The topic of the discussion was Indian’s
involvement in Balochistan and the state of security in the province. The reason I agreed to speak in the show, despite knowing that it is the same
channel that provides time and space to lunatic “Pakistani nationalist” Zaid Hamid, was because the anchorperson said he was an ex-colleague from
Daily Times.
As the talk show began, the anchorperson expected me to confirm that India was responsible for the mess in Balochistan. I said no. He interrupted and
said but there was solid evidence. I said that had never been presented publically.
“So are you trying to say India is not involved in the affairs of the Balochistan,” he asked for the third time.
“No,” I said, ” Balochistan is an indigenous issue.”
“Malik sahib,” he interrupted me for the fourth time,” speak as a journalist. Be objective. Now tell me, is India destabilizing Pakistan via Balochistan or
not?”
“Well, I come from the school of thought that believes Balochistan is an internal matter of Pakistan. India never directed Musharraf to kill Nawab Bugti nor
was the plan for ‘missing persons’ prepared by RAW,” I snapped.
I was interrupted again. It was the forth rude interruption.
“Malik sahib we don’t want someone from a ’school of thought’. We want someone to tell us the actual ground situation from Balochistan. Tell us the
“facts” how India is supporting the Baloch movement?”
This time I was annoyed. I protested.
“Mr. Amjad [name of the anchorperson] why are you trying to put words in my mouth? Why are you not allowing me to speak? Why do you keep
interrupting me? Please don’t expect me to give replies as you desire,” I said.
As I refused to give answers as they expected, the news channel conceitedly cut me off air. On the other hand, another participant in the same talk-show
from the government side who was “100% sure” about India’s involvement in Balochistan, was allowed to speak throughout the show.
Of course, I was not disappointed by this attitude of the ‘anchrocarcy’ in Pakistan. I only came to know why Islamabad fails to understand Balochs and
Balochistan. They think everyone is a purchasable commodity. I am sorry. I am not the right person to take online next time. No India-Israel-Jewish-
bashing can I do. Wrong number.
http://baluchsarmachar.wordpress.com
