Amidst growing criticism of the role of the military and security agencies in Balochistan, Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said his force will "fully back" any solution to the problems of the restive province that are within the country's Constitution.
"The army will fully back any solution under the Constitution of Pakistan," Kayani was quoted as saying in a rare public statement on the situation in Balochistan, which has been rocked by militant and sectarian violence for the past few years.
The army will "fully support any political process as long as it is within the Constitution", the powerful army chief said before leaving for an official visit to Russia yesterday.
Observers said Kayani's remarks were clearly aimed at dispelling the impression that the security establishment was a hurdle in the resolution of Balochistan's problems.
Unnamed military official told the media that recent criticism of the army by political leaders had compelled Kayani to issue the policy statement.
Balochistan's problems – including the issue of hundreds of "missing persons" or those detained without charge by security and intelligence agencies – have been in the limelight since the Supreme Court began suo moto proceedings on the law and order situation in the province.
Baloch leaders say hundreds of members of nationalist groups have been detained without charge by security agencies.
The bodies of nearly 300 of these "missing persons" have been found dumped across Balochistan since last year.
