ISLAMABAD – Army chief Ashfaq Kayani’s statement regarding halting army operation in Balochistan was part of the government’s announced Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday. Talking to reporters after the book-launching ceremony of former information minister Javed Jabbar, the prime minister did not give a cut date for the cabinet’s extension. Asked when the second phase of the cabinet extension would be made, Gilani said, “I can’t comment over it for the time being.”
He said the provincial leadership of the PPP was in contact with the rebel Baloch leadership in a bid to bring them into the national mainstream. Asked whether his party’s statement on Saraiki province was a political gimmick, Gilani said the party would take a final decision in this regard. To a question about his recent visit to Afghanistan, the prime minister said the visit was historic and unprecedented and he would soon invite Afghan President Hamid Karzai to visit Pakistan as a follow up on the decisions made in their meeting in Kabul.
Earlier, addressing the gathering at the ceremony, Gilani said the most vital audience for the book, titled Pakistan – Unique origins; Unique destiny?’ was the young generation of Pakistan. “In a period of history when some elements in our country and many elements in certain overseas countries are spreading despondency about the future of our state, this book will help to inform and motivate millions of young Pakistanis about the remarkable strengths and dynamism of our people.
