Army chief favors political solution of Balochistan: Kaira

A high level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday reviewed the law and order situation in Balochistan.Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani presided the meeting.Later briefing media about the meeting Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the meeting decided to initiate dialogue process in the province.He said the first the dialogue will be held with political parties believing in the federation. In the second phase‚ dialogue will be held with those nationalist groups‚ which are working under the federation and in the third phase‚ dialogue will be held with other groups.The minister said that Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani particularly insisted on political solution of Balochistan issue and he said that as it is a political issue‚ therefore military option will not be a lasting solution.Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the meeting expressed the resolve to thoroughly review the issue of missing persons and take concrete steps for its solution.He said that all clauses of the law regarding arrests‚ detentions‚ and trial will be implemented and stern action will be taken against those committing human rights violations.Earlier in his opening remarks‚ Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said it is sincere intention of the Government to create an enabling environment for dialogue with leadership of Balochistan.He said Balochistan had been on low priority of the previous Governments and‚ therefore‚ its genuine share in the progress had long been denied.The Prime Minister said the present democratic government has seriously taken into account the factors resulting in discontentment of people of Balochistan and continuing unrest in the largest province of Pakistan.He said the demand of the Balochistan province for increase in its share in the NFC Award was also fulfilled.The share of Balochistan in the divisible pool was raised from five point one per cent to nine point nine per cent while an amount of one billion rupee was allocated for rehabilitation of IDPs from Dera Bugti.Additionally‚ one hundred and twenty million rupees were also paid to the IDPs of Maula Bund Area.The Prime Minister said ban on recruitment of Balochistan domiciled candidates against the federal government posts was lifted.