Balochistan formally asks Pak Govt to hand over control of FC

ISLAMABAD - Balochistan has demanded that the federal government should hand over control of the Frontier Constabulary to the provincial government to enable it to handle the law and order situation in the province in a more effective manner.

Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi formally conveyed the demand to President Asif Ali Zardari during a meeting at the Presidency on Friday, the Dawn reports.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Magsi and Zardari discussed the law and order situation in Balochistan.

Sources in the presidency revealed that Magsi stressed the Balochistan problem would remain unresolved unless the command and control of FC was given to the provincial government.

The FC has been fighting outlaws and insurgents in some areas of Balochistan under the direct command of Pakistan’s Interior Ministry.

Zardari reiterated the government’s commitment to bring Balochistan on a par with other provinces in terms of development, and to address people’s grievances and their sense of deprivation. (ANI)