Holbrooke assures Taliban won’t step into Balochistan: PM Gilani

Updated at: 0133 PST, Saturday, June 06, 2009 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gialani addressing the PPP Balochistan meeting on Saturday, said that the US special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has assured the government of Pakistan Taliban will not make their ways into Balochistan province.PM urged United States to review its drone policy adding, “Drone attacks are putting negative impact over the government’s policy to part militants with the people of Balochistn”.He said Richard Holbrooke has guaranteed that Taliban will be barred from entering Balochistan province even after surge of US troops in Afghanistan assuring that US is not planning extend drone strike to Balochistan.Government wishes to end ongoing military offensive in Swat and Malakand Division soon.Premier said the salaries of Frontier Corps officials will soon be doubled, reiterating government’s resolve to provide Balochistan with aid packages for development projects