Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Wednesday that the government would further explore oil, gas, and metals in mineral-rich Balochistan for the benefit of its people as well as the country. He was speaking at the handing over of the building of the Lasbela Textile Mills to the newly established Lasbela University of Agriculture, Waters, and Marine Sciences, some 133km from Karachi. Balochistan Governor Owais Ghani, Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf, federal ministers Jehangir Khan Tareen and Naseer Mengal were also present on the occasion.
Shaukat said that Balochistan was full of natural resources, including oil, gas, marble, granite, zinc, lead, copper, and other minerals, and now there was a need to explore them for the benefit of the people of this province as well as Pakistan.
"We will use modern and latest technology for mining and exploration for oil, gas and other minerals in the province," he said.
The prime minister said that the Oil and Gas Development Corporation (OGDC) would expand its exploration activities in Balochistan to tap hydrocarbon potentials, saying this would increase the income of the province and bring in prosperity to its people.
He said that the Chinese firms working at the Saindak project have proposed to double copper production from the mine to meet the growing demand in the international market. "They want to increase their investment in the project to enhance copper production from the Saindak project," he said.
Similarly, an Australian company working in Balochistan also wanted to extract copper from a mine in Balochistan, as its exploration results are positive, the prime minister added.
He said that these activities would benefit the people of Balochistan and increase economic activities in the province.
He said Balochistan was also rich in agriculture and this sector can play an important role in the development of Balochistan if paid proper attention.
Shaukat said that the province was producing a variety of fruits and vegetables besides, cotton and wheat.
Shaukat Aziz said that Pakistan harvested a record 15 million cotton bales this year, while wheat crop would also surpass the target.
He said 2005 is a historic year for agriculture sector as the country has reaped a record cotton crop and was expecting a bumper wheat crop, better than the target. Shaukat said that the farmers would earn billions of rupees from cotton and wheat crops.
The production of banana, apple and grapes in the agriculture sector can be further increased with the help of research, he said, adding that the Lasbela University can play an important role in this regard. He advised the people to develop cattle farming and take loans from banks to increase the production of livestock in the country.
He said the government was launching a "livestock programme" to boost the production of cattle-head in the country, adding that the federal government would send veterinary experts in each district of the province for guidance of farmers to boost production of livestock on modern lines.
He said the increase in livestock would raise milk production in the country.
He said the value of milk production was higher than wheat in the country and that potential can be enhanced further.
The premier said that branches of Khushhali Bank were being opened at district level on his instructions. He advised the farmers to avail of their financial services to increase their herds.
He said fisheries sector was another high potential area for Balochistan, which is blessed with a long coastline.
"This sector can generate lot of economic activities in the coastal areas if properly focussed," he said. He said that seafood processing and canning factories should be set up in coastal areas to pack the catch for export purposes.
He said the federal government would provide all-out support to boost fisheries sector in Balochistan. "You take one step, we will take two steps to support you," he said.
Appreciating the efforts of the Balochistan governor and chief minister for setting up an agriculture university in the province, he said this step would help in boosting agriculture sector in the province as well as the country.
He suggested the management of the university to make it a center of excellence and learning by appointing a quality faculty. This will improve its standards, he said.
He said the Lasbela Textile Mills had been closed since last 20 years and this national asset was turning to ruins. He said this transformation of a sick unit into a university was a gift to the local people. There can''t be a better gift then this for locals, he said.
He announced a matching fund of Rs 30 million for the university.
He said President General Pervez Musharraf has focussed on Balochistan and Rs 130 billion mega projects were under progress. Gwadar Port, Coastal Highway, dams, roads were a few of them.
The prime minister said the government was focussing on education and health.
He said that water storage capacity has declined in the country. He said that water reservoirs and dams should be constructed and assured that every province will get its due share.
Responding to a demand, the prime minister said he would ask the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to Uthal.
Earlier, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf urged the prime minister to ensure availability of funds for the university for its smooth functioning.
He said the present government was very kind and generous towards Balochistan and is providing sufficient funds for mega development projects.
He announced a contribution of Rs 30 million for the university and urged the prime minister to ask KESC to replace the 20-year-old transmission lines to avoid frequent power interruption.
University Vice Chancellor Brigadier Sirajuddin in his address of welcome said the university would be functional from October 2005 at a cost of Rs 5 billion to provide job opportunities to 2,000 people and create 2,000 indirect vacancies.
Later, the prime minister unveiled the plaque and witnessed the signing of contract for handing over the premises of textile mills to the Lasbela University.