Balochistan CM to write to UN chief on Kashmir issue

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has decided to send a delegation of provincial lawmakers to friendly states to raise the issue of India's involvement in what Islamabad calls 'fomenting violence' in the province, following Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's move on the same.

Zehri on Sunday said a letter would also be written to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in this regard, reports the Express Tribune.

Prime Minister Modi, in his Independence Day address, had thanked the people of Balochistan, the people of Gilgit and the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for the goodwill they have showed towards him.

He had earlier at an all-party meeting on Kashmir said that the "time has come that Pakistan shall have to answer to the world for the atrocities committed by it against people in Balochistan and PoK".

His remarks were clearly rejected by Pakistan following which Sharif formed a team of 22 members of parliament as special envoys that would travel to various countries to highlight the situation on the Kashmir issue and cement Pakistan's stand in the Kashmir dispute.

Zehri added that his government is not afraid of any kind of threats and are ready to sacrifice their lives for the protection of the country and their people.

Reiterating that he would not allow India to sow trouble in the region, he accused separatist leaders for provoking Baloch youth.

Rejecting reports about the number of missing persons and mutilated bodies, he said some people are spreading false news and exaggerating the situation.

On the development of Gwadar, he said that with the commencement of the Chine-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a period of prosperity, economic development and trade would commence in the province.

He claimed that developmental work in the province is going on in a satisfactory way, adding security challenges are now in a better position and can assure that there are no worries about security.

Baloch people protesting against the USD 46 billion project say that CPEC was causing damage to the environment and would not benefit the people of the region instead they alleged Balochistan's abundant resources were being diverted for the benefit of Pakistan's most populous province Punjab.

Considered as a part of China's One Belt, One Road initiative, the CPEC covers Balochistan and Sindh provinces and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.