Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousaf on Saturday said that operational management at Gwadar port has been given to a UAE company, Dubai Port World. Talking to reporters in his chamber at the Balochistan Assembly session here, he said five border points have been opened with Iran to promote trade via Gwadar port.
He said the port would take time to start generating revenue and denied a statement by the provincial finance minister that the Balochistan government had sent a proposal to the federal government regarding fixation of a specific percentage in the revenue for the province.
Jam Yousaf said the province has to bear a loss of Rs 1.5 billion under the head of gas royalty due to sabotage activities by miscreants and damage to gas pipelines. He said efforts were being made to ensure security of the gas pipelines stretching over 100 miles.
Referring to boycott of the provincial assembly session by coalition partner, MMA, the chief minister said that most of the points on which the MMA has expressed its concern and reservations are related to the federal government. The MMA leadership are, however, engaged in talks in Islamabad with the government regarding their grievances, he added.
About MMA allegation of non-release of funds to its provincial legislators, Jam Yousuf said the position of funds was well-known and the provincial PSDP is in the hands of the MMA. "We have no grievances against our coalition partner. If the MMA has any, it should resolve it through negotiations", he said.
To a question about the issue of the Madressah Sanad, the chief minister said that talks between the MMA and the federal government were in progress in this connection. Jam Yousaf expressed his satisfaction at the present NFC Award and said that Balochistan would get considerable share in coming years.
He said the federal government has already allocated 35 percent of its PSDP to Balochistan, which is a unique precedent. "Balochistan will also get a considerable share from unemployment project, worked out by the federal government, would be implemented shortly in the country at a cost of Rs 20 billion," he said.
Jam Yousaf termed the waiving of Rs 5 billion loans of Balochistan growers and fishermen a great benefaction of the President, saying it would help the growers and fishermen a lot to improve their economic condition.
Referring to law and order situation in the province, the chief minister expressed his satisfaction and said that police and other law-enforcement agencies are performing their duties diligently.
He said police have recovered a big cache of arms and ammunition and also arrested an alleged sectarian killer from Quetta during the last two days, which shows their good performance.
"I have also directed the provincial Police chief to adopt effective measures to check kidnapping of children from the provincial capital and destroy the network of the elements involved in this heinous crime," he said, and added that a high-level meeting would also be called soon in this regard.
About the committee formed by the provincial assembly to play a role in resolving issues, Jam Yousaf said it could not make progress as elders of some parties refused to accept the committee.
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