Indeed, it is heartening to note that a total of 133 development projects, costing Rs 305 billion, are being executed in Balochistan. As Wednesday's newspapers show, both President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani want an early completion of these projects with a view to lessening the acute sense of deprivation and alienation among the people of this province.
The President has rightly pointed out that the completion of development should be the top priority "as the government cannot brook any further delay. The federal government's decision authorising Balochistan government to hold talk with all political forces, including those who have waged a low-intensity insurgency, in the province is another healthy development. The Balochistan government, however, is required to be enabled to strengthen the capacity of its police and levies to improve law and order in the province.
But what is more important for Islamabad are its efforts towards reaching out to more and more disgruntled people of this province with a view to winning hearts and minds. In a nutshell, the Balochistan situation demands a political solution which can be achieved only through talks.