No intention of govt to abolish 18th amendment: Khattak

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak Thursday said that the government had no intention to abolish 18th amendment of the Constitution as it did not have two-third majority in the National Assembly so the opposition should stop spreading  rumours on the matter.

Talking to media persons outside the Parliament House along with Adviser to Prime Minister Shehzad Arbab and Chief Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) Muhammad Akhtar Mengal, the minister said that the government was not enjoying the majority in the lower house to make amendments in the constitution.

The minister said that BNP-M was ally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and its six points would be implemented in true letter and spirit.

Pervez Khattak said that the government would provide Rs nine billion subsidy to the government of Balochistan on electricity and the duration of loadshedding would be three hours.

Regarding the development about the agreement between government and BNP-M, the minister said that the media would be informed in this regard. He said that there was delay in implementing six points of BNP-M but the government was sincere in meeting the demands.

He said that six points include the issue of missing persons, water shortage, quota for the Baloch youth in government departments and repatriation of the 2.5 million Afghan refugees.

Pervez Khattak said a committee had been constituted to address the missing persons issue. He said the government would ensure that the local people in Balochistan do not turn into minority in the process of development of Gwadar Port.

The minister said measures would be taken for construction of more dams in Balochistan, adding six percent quota of the Balochistan youth in government departments would also be ensured.

Pervez Khattak said that the issue of electricity in Balochistan was being resolved on permanent basis and solar system would be installed. He said that soon there would be good news about the missing persons.

On the occasion, Akhtar Mengal said the Prime Minister Imran Khan assured them about progress on missing persons' issue and other matters.

He said the Prime Minister also told them that neither Balochistan's share in National Finance Commission award would be cut nor 18th amendment would be rolled back.

Akhtar Mengal said a committee of parliamentarians should be constituted to prepare a report on the problems being faced by the people of Balochistan.

BNP chief said that he had suggested to the Prime Minister that a committee of political leaders be sent to Balochistan to properly understand the grievances of the people there.

"Once it returns, the committee should present a report to the Parliament and then whatever decision is taken on the matter will be acceptable to us," he added.