Balochistan CM Malik Baloch vows to restore peace in province
10 June, 2013
QUETTA: Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, who sworn in as the chief minister of Balochistan at an impressive ceremony at the Governor's House on Sunday, vowed to restore peace in the troubled province.
Governor Zulfiqar Magsi administered the oath to the chief minister. In his first speech to the 65-member assembly as the CM, Abdul Malik said that bringing peace and prosperity to the province would be the first priority of his government.
He said that to bring peace in the troubled province, his government would give books to Baloch youth instead of guns, and negotiate with rebel groups living in the mountains.
He said that all parties in Balochistan wanted stability and prosperity in the province. He said mutilated bodies, deteriorating situation of law and order, missing persons and kidnappings for ransom remained major issues of the province.
"We will meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to inform him about problems of Balochistan and to get his cooperation in this regard," he said. "I am optimistic that the federal government and the military leadership will also play their role in finding out solution to these problems."
He vowed to drag Balochistan out of severe challenges with the cooperation of all political parties in the province. He said there was no room for corruption now, and added that he would not avail a single penny from the secret fund.
"I pledge that I will not take even a single paisa from the secret and discretionary funds, and I also announce to permanently abolish all secret and discretionary funds," he said. "We cannot make a joke of ourselves. It is our collective responsibility to work together."
The new CM vowed to launch a crackdown on the illegal mining and the land mafia operating in the province. He said that he would talk to all stakeholders and invite angry Baloch leaders to talks. Dr Abdul Malik added that it was his government's responsibility to protect the minorities as well as Hazara settlers. He also pledged to include mother languages in the educational curriculum.
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