Militancy in Balochistan will subside as a result of the general elections and continuation of the democratic process, Caretaker Chief Minister Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai said on Wednesday. In an exclusive interview with Business Recorder, Nawab Barozai said that all nationalist parties took part in the elections and their candidates have been returned to the National Assembly and provincial assembly.
He said that the elected government of Balochistan "will be able to solve the multifarious problem of the people of Balochistan, as it has substantial autonomy under the Constitution to take necessary measures". Barozai said that along with other known nationalist leaders, former Chief Minister Akhtar Mengal had also been elected and he had accepted the election results. "I provided a helicopter to (Akhtar) Mengal so that he could cast his vote in the election," he said.
He said that as a caretaker Chief Minister, he did not inducted ministers in his cabinet since he feared that the ministers would indulge in malpractices and rigging of elections. "One of the aspirants offered me Rs 20 million to induct him as a Minister. I was asked by political parties to form a cabinet of 20 ministers, but I refused...I had done what they wanted, impartial elections would not have been possible."
He said despite threats by militants, the people of Balochistan "took part in the polls and elected their representatives". Nawab Barozai said that the top priority of the elected government should be building of infrastructure and communication network.