ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 23 (UPI) -- The chief minister of Baluchistan rejected British accusations the Pakistani province has become 'Taliban headquarters' amid increasing spasms of violence.
"Britain should stop issuing baseless allegations," Baluchistan Home Minister Mir Shoaib Nausherwani on Monday told Pakistan's Daily Times newspaper, urging Kabul to act against Afghans "intent on destabilizing (the) province."
Nausherwani said Britain had no proof to substantiate its claims the province had become a Taliban flashpoint. Such charges were tantatamount to ignoring contributions by the government in fighting terrorism, such as imprisoning a number of militants and breaking up gangs, he added.
"Pakistan is a frontline state in the war against terror. We have done more than any other nation in the world to eliminate terrorism and extremism," the minister said. "Instead of accusing us of harboring Taliban leaders, the British government and other allies in the war against terror should come forward to extol Pakistan's laudable role."
Nausherwani urged the Afghan government to monitor elements providing direct assistance to the separatists operating within Baluchistan in a campaign to destabilize the southern province.
Six policemen were killed and 13 wounded when five bombs exploded in a Baluchistan police training camp in a May 11 attack blamed on Islamist militants.
