Pak Frontier Corps put on standby in Balochistan

Islamabad, June 1 : Balochistan Chief Minister Mohammad Aslam Raisani has ordered Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps to be on standby mode to protect the lives and properties of citizens.

Presiding over provincial cabinet meeting that reviewed the law and order situation, he directed the police department to act effectively, and ordered strict measures against tinted glass vehicles and pillion riding on motorcycles in Quetta.

Most businesses as well as government schools remained closed on Saturday due to a strike called to protest against the killing of six cricketers in Jinnah Town on Friday.

Meanwhile, former Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal has urged the government to bring all militant groups, including the rebel Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to the table for talks.

"The government would also have to call [for negotiations] those [people] who went underground, including the BLA leadership," the Daily Times quoted Mengal as telling reporters at the Karachi Press Club.

Mengal's statement came a day after guerrilla commander Brahamdag Bugti described the current armed struggle as the only option available to the Baloch.

Mengal also praised the Pakistan People's Party's efforts to address Balochistan's problems, but added it faced challenges created by President Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid.

He understood that the government needed time to tackle issues, but it could order the return of the army from Balochistan and recovery of missing people. If not, this would be its weakness, he said.

Though the military's overall control has weakened in the country, it is still powerful in Balochistan, added Mengal.

According to him, an apology from the president and others would not end the problem. He also criticized Washington for its continued support of Musharraf.

ANI