Governor’s rule in Balochistan to end

In a high-level meeting on Tuesday, the country’s top civilian and military leadership observed that revocation of the Governor’s Rule in Balochistan was vital for ensuring timely election and a new chief minister and his cabinet would likely be named to ensure the continuity of the electoral process.

Law Minister Farooq Naik said the country’s top civilian and military leaders wanted elections on time, adding that the meeting of president, prime minister and army chief discussed an end to governor’s rule in Balochistan.

He said that restoration of provincial set up was vital for electoral process, adding that a new chief minister and his cabinet could be formed in Balochistan.

Earlier, the country’s top civilian and military leadership resolved to cleanse Quetta of miscreants and terrorists, deciding that all possible steps would be taken to protect the ‘Hazara community’ from terrorist attacks in the future.

A crucial meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and army chief General Ashfaq Kayani was held at the Presidency to review the steps being taken by the government in Quetta to apprehend the terrorists and take protective measures for the safety of Hazara Shias in the wake of Saturday’s horrendous terrorist attack that killed 90 people and left over 190 people injured.

A brief official statement said Prime Minister Ashraf called on the president at Aiwan-e-Sadr and later, the chief of army staff also joined the meeting.

“Current security situation in the country was discussed during the meeting,” the statement said, without giving any details.

But an official privy to the troika meeting told Pakistan Today that the vital issue of army’s deployment in Quetta on the demand of Hazara people came under discussion, talks but it was decided that instead of sending the army into the city, the Frontier Corps (FC) would continue with anti-terrorism operations.

“It was also decided that functioning of intelligence agencies would be strengthened in Balochistan and this mechanism would be made efficient, as that was the most effective way to tackle the menace of terrorism,” he said, seeking anonymity.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Ashraf announced the start of a targeted operation in Quetta against the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), which claimed responsibility for Saturday’s killing of Hazara people.

During the troika meeting, it was decided that the FC and local police in Quetta would act in coordination with the intelligence agencies to carry out a sweeping operation against the terrorists and the same would continue until all miscreants were either arrested or eliminated, the official said.

He said it was also decided that stern action would be taken against any government official who failed to perform well during counterterrorism efforts in Balochistan.

The prime minister briefed the president about the steps being taken in Quetta to control the law and order, as well as talks that the parliamentary committee formed by the government had held with the representatives of Hazara community in Quetta.

“The prime minister said the government would take all possible measures to protect the Hazara people and no effort would be spared in this regard,” the official said.