Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher arrived in Quetta for talks with opposition leaders to review security situation along the Pak-Afghan border, TV channels reported.
Security was beefed up around the lone five-star hotel in Quetta, where the top US diplomat held talks with opposition lawmakers and officials. A delegation of provincial lawmakers, led by Kachkul Ali Baloch, leader of the opposition in Balochistan Assembly, met the US Assistant Secretary of State and conveyed their reservations over the government plans with regard to elections.
Richard Boucher arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday and met on last Wednesday with Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Chief Election Commissioner Muhammad Farooq and opposition leaders.
"We do not have trust in the government claims to hold transparent and free elections," Aaj television quoted Kachkul as telling Boucher. The opposition leader demanded that international observers must monitor elections to check any rigging in the parliamentary polls, scheduled later this year.
Boucher will also hold talks with Balochistan police chief to discuss with him the on-going campaign against Taliban suspects in the province, according to TV channels. The US has extended an aid of $473 million for security measures along the border. The aid included vehicles and communication system to curb cross-border narcotics smuggling and illegal movement.
In Quetta, Boucher also visited a school to check voters lists, displayed by the Election Commission across the country as part of preparations for the general elections.
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