QUETTA, Nov 17: Security has been beefed up in the provincial capital and other sensitive cities and towns of Balochistan in view of the Rawalpindi incidents that claimed several lives on Friday.

Heavy contingents of police, Frontier Corps, Balochistan Constabulary and Levies Forces have been deployed at all major mosques and Imambargahs in Quetta, Dera Murad Jamali, Khuzdar, Sibi, Jhal Magsi, Usta Mohammad and some other towns.

The number of armed contingents of Frontier Corps, police and Balochistan Constabulary has been increased in Quetta.

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has called upon all political and religious parties and all segments of society to play their role in restoring peace and order in the province.

Talking to a delegation of Wafaqu1Madaris headed by Senator Hafiz Hamdullah here on Sunday, he said that Balochistan was passing through a very difficult situation, and at the same time it was facing poverty, extremism and lack of education.

Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Chief Secretary BabarYaqoob Fateh Mohammad and Home Secretary Asad Gilani also attended the meeting. The delegation apprised the chief minister about their problems.

Dr Malik said he was thankful to the ulema of all schools of thought for cooperating with his government in maintaining peace and order during Muharram, especially on Ashura.

`We will keep a close coordination with the ulema and this process will be regularised,`he said.The chief minister said his government was taking steps for making police, Balochistan Constabulary andLevies Forces more effective. He said special training on modern lines had been arranged for the police to make it a combat force against terrorism and for restoring law and order in the province.

`The army was practically helping in training the police force and the government was making efforts to equip police with modern weapons and equipment.

Dr Malik assured the ulema that his government would fulfil its responsibility of protecting religious seminaries in the province.

Senator Hafiz Hamdullah told the chief minister that religious seminaries were not involved in promoting any kind of extremism and sectarianism and they did not believe in violence.

He assured Dr Malik that the ulema were ready to extend all cooperation to his government for restoring peace and order in Balochistan.