Threats to solidarity of Pak will not be tolerated: Musharraf

Islamabad, Sept 5 (UNI) Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has vowed to establish writ of the government in the country's restive southwestern Balochistan province, saying that threats to the solidarity of the country will not be tolerated.

Talking to a gathering of Baloch leaders and other top politicians here yesterday, he said certain elements did not want to see Balochistan progressing as they stood to lose with the empowerment of the common people there.

However, the problem existed only in small pockets of the province and most of Balochistan was peaceful, he said.

''These elements were running ''farari'' (fugitive) camps, attacking gas pipelines and security forces, killing Chinese engineers and non-Baloch Pakistani settlers in an effort to disrupt development projects,'' he said.

''These terrorist activities were also taken to Karachi, Lahore and other parts of the country,'' Gen Musharraf said.

He said severe action would be taken against anti-development elements in the province.

Meanwhile, the Musharraf administration has also decided to coordinate with Baloch nationalists and opposition parties to set up a conducive and peaceful dialogue.

''We will not compromise on the solidarity of the country and will never allow the separatists to succeed. Anti-Pakistan sentiments will be fought,'' the Daily Times quoted Baloch leaders as saying.

They also dismissed a separatist threat made by Akhtar Mengal, another tribal chief tain.

Gen Musharraf reiterated his commitment to the development of Balochistan saying, ''I have already apologised to the people of Balochistan for the negligence of the past governments.'' ''We have initiated development projects worth Rs 135 billion, he said, referring to Gwadar Port, Makran Coastal Highway, Mirani and Subakzai dams and other projects.

He also did not rule out possibility of involvement of a ''foreign hand'' in the law and order problems in certain areas of the province.

Sources said the government believed that money and arms were coming to Balochistan from India, Afghanistan and from the Indian consulate in Zahidan, Iran.

''We have stopped all routes which were being used for pumping in money and transporting arms to Balochistan,'' the sources said.

The president said steps were being taken to address the Baloch grievances.

''The representation of Baloch people has been ensured in all government departments including the armed forces,'' he said He asked the government officials to speed up development projects and directed Interior Minister Sherpao to improve security in the province, and deal sternly with those that take the law into their own hands.

He also ordered that the recommendations of the parliamentary committee on Balochistan be implemented, saying that the Baloch people were fed up with the Sardari system and the government would help them get rid of it.

Balochistan Governor Owais Ghani briefed the meeting on law and order in the province following the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti during a military operation in Kohlu district on August 26.

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