Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif has said the political leadership should take the initiative to find a permanent solution to the problems faced by the people of Balochistan.

“We are one nation and cannot stay indifferent to the problems of any federating unit,” Asif said responding to the points of Akhtar Mengal of Balochistan National Party in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Asif said the points raised by Akhtar Mengal regarding the Balochistan situation are genuine and there is a dire need to heal the wounds of the people of the province. “The problems of Balochistan can be addressed by sitting together with the leaders and people of Balochistan,” the defence minister added.

He voiced concerns over the security situation in Swat and other areas, warning this could also spread to other areas.

“Responsibility rests with all the institutions to find a solution to the threats faced by the state,” he said and appreciated the people of Swat for standing up against the terrorist elements.

“One thing is that people came out in Swat without any differences on a single issue. Our society is not democratic, it is a quasi-democracy.”

The defence minister said that Pakistan had been a frontline state in the war on terrorism. He said our civilians and security forces had rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He pointed out that over the last three months, 53 security personnel embraced martyrdom which also included a three-star general.

Asif said that the PTI-led government was removed through a constitutional way, regretting that the PTI chairman was trying to blackmail and take the state hostage.

“All status-quo, elite have made mistakes. They have made mistakes and let’s acknowledge it. I think this house should show some seriousness,” he said and added that the judiciary and armed forces intervened several times. “We can fight for power later and for now focus should be on issues faced by the people.”

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said Pakistan has paid a heavy price in the war on terrorism. She said we have conducted successful operations against terrorism which has also been acknowledged by the world community.

She said the terrorists cannot be allowed to raise their ugly heads again in Swat or other areas.

Regarding the situation in Balochistan, Rehman proposed the formation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission to take the situation towards improvement in the province.