Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday defended the recent increase in the petroleum prices. Talking to reporters in his parliament chambers, the Prime Minister said the oil prices in the world market are being quoted fifty dollars per barrel therefore government had to increase the oil prices. He said government is providing forty billion rupees petroleum subsidy.

About the situation in Balochistan, Shaukat said that all issues would be resolved through dialogue. He said the committee formed under the leadership of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is working to resolve all issues through dialogue.

The Prime Minister said during the last five years, government has taken mega development projects in Balochistan to put the province on the road to progress and prosperity.

Copyright News Network International, 2005