Internal, external elements part of terrorism in Balochistan: Jam Kamal

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Jam Mir Kamal Khan has said that internal and external elements are involved in terrorist incidents in the province.

“Cross-border terror activities from Afghanistan, which has been under war for the last 40 years, is a major issue for Pakistan,” he said while talking to a private news channel on Sunday.

He said the valiant armed forces had rendered supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism. “They have broken the back of terrorists and eliminated the menace from the country,” he added.

Jam Kamal said that honest officers would be appointed in every department to bring improvement in the governance system. “Good governance would be ensured in the province to facilitate the people,” he added.

He said no hospital was fully functional in Balochistan but measures were being taken now to provide modern health facilities to the people.

He further said that instead of holding talks with estranged leaders “who use Balochistan’s lack of progress for political gains”, he would address the real issues during his term.

“Those who have done politics on the basis of Balochistan’s deprivations have done nothing practical,” he said. “Dr Malik and Sanaullah Zehri wasted their time in having dialogues with such people. Instead of doing the same, we will address the real issues of Balochistan.”

The CM said he would hold talks with estranged leaders under certain conditions. “I will talk to only those who acknowledge Pakistan and its constitution. We will not talk to people working on external agendas.”

However, he stated that Pakistan’s legal battle with Chilean mining company Antofagasta PLC over the Reko Diq mining lease disagreement would have to be sorted out through dialogue.

“If we lose the case and are handed a fine of $10 billion then it would be difficult for the federal and Balochistan governments to pay it,” he said. “The Balochistan govt has already paid Rs350m to lawyers for this case. We will try and resolve the matter through negotiations.”

Will not use CM House for personal use 

Speaking about the CM houses allotted to him for securing the post of the provinces chief minister, Jam Kamal vowed to use the houses located in Quetta and Hanna Orak for public purposes rather than himself.

In an interview with a local media outlet, Jam said: “A second 16-room CM house is being constructed behind the current CM house at a cost of Rs650 million. Then another is being built in Hanna Orak at a cost of Rs460m. There was no need for such big houses.”

“More than a billion rupees were spent on their constructions. Therefore, we will utilise it for the benefit of the people.”

He identified “governance” as the biggest problem of Balochistan. “Capable people were ignored [but we] are now investigating people involved in corruption and removing them from important positions,” said the CM.

Regarding the lack and poor standard of education in the Southwest province, he said: “Where there are students, there are no schools, and where there are both, the teachers are absent,” he said. “In the education department, there will be 10,000 appointments on merit.”

“There are no [decent] hospitals in Balochistan either. We are working to resolve this. We will fulfil the needs of our doctors so they could perform their duties,” he said.