Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yusuf has said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz while empowering him to make any announcement and taking measures about provincial development, has assured that the federal government would extend full co-operation for the implementation of these measures and announcements.
He was speaking at the inauguration first phase of "Marble City" industrial project here on Sunday.
Three hundred plots have been developed for processing units. The government has provided plots measuring one acre to industrialists free-of-cost for processing units where marble would be processed and would be made exportable.
This project would provide employment to more than 5,000 local people. The government has set aside Rs 50 million during the current financial year for the development of the area.
Jam Yusuf said that the Prime Minister at his meeting with him on Saturday assured that financial and other problems of Balochistan would be given priority, while ongoing mega projects would be completed in time.
Elaborating his government's policies about development of industrial sector, Jam said that it intends to accord status of industry to two sectors, fishery and mining. This would help in boosting development process.
Jam said that we have adopted path of development for a bright Balochistan. We and our opponents are Balochis, but there is difference in our thoughts. We are determined to make our province and its people developed, while they wanted to keep it backward to achieve their ulterior motives.
Since we are on the right path, our caravan would continue to move though there would be difficulties in our way but we would not be frightened of them.
He invited the press from every nook and corner to visit Balochistan to see for itself development process continuing in a peaceful atmosphere and development was taking place.
The chief minister categorically stated that action would be taken wherever terrorist camps exist or terrorism takes place.
He said the previous government raised slogans of development, while we practically started development process.
He said that promotion of industrial sector and developing it on modern lines is most imperative for the uplift of the area, but unfortunately no attention was paid on this direction in the past.
Paying rich tributes to President General Pervez Musharraf for his special interest in the provincial development and steps in this regard, the chief minister said that this massive process was continuing due to his personal interest. He said we have been seeking co-operation of the Centre for big projects.
Referring to industrial development and investment in Lasbella, Jam said that it is only because the people welcomed investment and provided suitable environment.
This did not convert the local population into minority nor their entity was affected. Rather the people gave investors way to enter into Balochistan. He said we were providing every facility to investors and in return it is our demand locals should be provided jobs.
He said outsiders are not interested in the land of Gwadar but they want its development. Keeping prospects of its development, they wanted to make investment here. They have no other ambitions.
The chief minister very clearly announced that the government would not take any decision contrary to the interest of province and its people and their rights would be protected at all levels. He announced 25 percent subsidy for the processing units in the Marble City.