KARACHI, April 25: The provincial authorities in Balochistan seem quite optimistic about the outcome of the current efforts at political reconciliation in the province. This was the impression gathered by a media team from Karachi during a visit to the province sponsored by the Balochistan government.

The authorities claimed that the situation in Sui and Dera Bugti areas had eased and barring a few sporadic acts of violence, there was a marked improvement in the law and order situation.

Terming the present phase a transitory one, they said the reconciliatory efforts initiated by the government would produce positive results which would have a far-reaching impact on the socio-economic development of the province.

In separate briefings given by Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yusuf, both conceded that the province had been a victim of neglect in the past as the then rulers had never taken any serious measures for the uplift of the people which had created a sense of disillusionment.

They also maintained that the situation in the province today was quite changed as the present government had realized the gravity of the problems and initiated various development schemes to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people.

The governor said the problems in Balochistan were manifold because of the province’s location and socio-economic conditions.

According to him, the pace of development in the province had remained slow because of the financial constraints resulting from the high cost of development and many social factors.

But the government had now accorded priority to the development of infrastructure facilities in the province.

Consequently, he said, work on the Makran Coastal Highway, the Gwadar deep-sea port, the Mirani dam, Kachhi Canal and internal road network and power supply projects in remote areas was started.

Attention was also paid to the health and education sectors to improve quality of life of the people by setting up basic health units and schools and colleges in remote areas of the province.

Unfortunately, the governor said, attempts were made by ‘vested interests’ to sabotage these projects. But despite all odds, work on the Makran Coastal Highway had been completed and the first phase of Gwadar port was nearing completion. He also indicated that construction work on the Mirani Dam would be completed next year.

When he was asked to explain the causes of the present disturbances, the governor said Balochistan was passing through a transitory phase from a tribal to a modern society because of extension in trade activity and introduction of modern means of communication.

He thought that a middle class without a tribal outlook was emerging in the province, posing a threat to ‘old guard’ who were now resisting this process. He said this was their last battle as the process was irreversible.

The governor maintained that Balochistan had always been a special challenge to every government, but the present government had adopted a different policy by pursuing a policy of reconciliation. He confidently declared that complete understanding had been reached between the government and Nawab Mohammad Akbar Bugti on matters pertaining to Sui and Dera Bugti.

However, he refused to divulge any details, saying that both the parties had agreed to keep them secret in the ‘national interest’.

The governor agreed that the time had come to find a permanent solution to the autonomy issue, saying that the president had already indicated that the NFC award should be given not only on a population basis but that area and revenue recovery factors should also be taken into consideration.

On the Balochistan Liberation Army, the governor said there were some elements who were involved in sabotage activities who described themselves as operatives of the army, but in fact they were ‘saboteurs’ who were attacking and damaging public utilities.

JAM YUSUF : Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yusuf said there were aspects of Balochistan problem such as development and employment which were never seriously considered by the rulers in the past.