Rocket attack kills two in Balochistan, even as PM talks of progress

Quetta/Islamabad, Aug.22 (ANI) Even as Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani talked about progress being made in Balochistan, the country's largest province, a rocket attack in the Mashkel area near the Pakistan-Iran border killed two people and wounded two others on Saturday.

According to the Dawn, militants fired 14 rockets in the Mashkel area of Washuk district, most of which landed in deserted places.

One rocket, however, hit a house in the Mashkel township, killing two women and wounding two minor children.

Meanwhile, Gilani said in a statement that his government is trying its best to make Gwadar port operational, and that a road connection to Iran is expected to be completed within the year.

Gilani also said that port charges have been reduced by ten per cent to facilitate trade.

Addressing the issue of local body governments, Gilani said that former president Pervez Musharraf tampered with the local bodies system and the provinces will have authority to handle the system as provided in the constitution.

Gilani also spoke about measures being taken to ensure accountability. He said that a new bill will be presented in the Parliament after consultation with opposition parties and the Charter of Democracy will be utilized to frame the bill.

He further added that the views of all concerned parties including Altaf Hussain have been forwarded to the President, who is to meet with Baloch leaders after his return from China. ANI)