President General Pervez Musharraf has declared that 2007 and beyond would be the year of Balochistan where through the process of development backwardness would be brought to an end. He was addressing elected representatives and notables of the five districts of Balochistan here on Friday.
The districts were Gwadar, Kach, Awaran, Lasbella and Panjgur. The participants of the meeting gave the President a standing ovation and told in one voice "Qadam Barhoo Pervez Musharraf Hum Tumahrah Saath Hain" and assured that they would strengthen his hands in the development process of Balochistan as well as that of the country.
The President told the gathering that there are numerous opportunities of moving ahead and urged the people of Balochistan to grasp these in order to make headway.
He informed that in the years 1968 up to 1999 the federal government''s development budget was a mere 70 to 80 billion rupees an year but now Rs 415 billion are available for the development projects. He said that not only the country''s economy has strengthened but its status in the comity of nations has also improved.
The President said that mega projects have been initiated in Balochistan as well as in other parts of the country to help improve the standards of living of the people.
He said the goal being pursued by the government is creation of employment opportunities, eradication of poverty, provision of clean drinking water, gas and electricity to the people.
Musharraf said that besides mega projects in Balochistan such as Gwadar Port, Mirani Dam, Coastal Highway etc the district nazims have also been given Rs 100 million each for micro projects and Rs 2.5 billion to Senators, MNAs, and MPAs for development works in their constituencies.
The President said that steps are also being initiated for quality improvement for the people of Balochistan. He also announced an extensive programme of provision of scholarships for the youngsters of Balochistan in reputed educational institutions in the country including cadet colleges, public schools, medical and engineering universities and technical schools.
An internship programme would also be started for the educated youth in the province. Musharraf said that the year 2007 is for Balochistan where resources are being allocated for development. He said that we all would have to join hands to make headway and bring backwardness to an end.
The President also asked the people to take destiny in their hands and said the government would extend them full support and gradually this would improve the future of their children and the coming generations.
He also made it clear that if law and order is not improved, this would impede the path of progress and development.
He said those involved in militant activities would take the province towards backwardness. He said the militants would have to be checked as they not only obstruct progress but are also against development.
The President told the elected representatives and nazims that Pakistan is at a turning point and the decision of the people in the 2007 election would be significant. The right verdict of the people would take us forward while a negative one would take us backward, he asked them to explain the people that it is important to continue the path of progress and development.
The President said those who support continuity of policies should win.
He told the gathering that best operators internationally would be assigned the task of running the Gwadar Port, which would be made operational soon. He said Gwadar would be made a modern city and a good airport would be built here, for which land has been acquired.
The President said that a desalination plant is also being established in Gwadar. A campus of Balochistan University is being set up in Gwadar and another campus would be established in Turbat. A technical institution would also be set up. He said Gwadar would be opened up with the communication system, road and rail networks as well as with air service. The President said Gwadar would not only emerge as the trade, energy hub for Pakistan but also for the region. A refinery would also be set up.
He stated that there would be 25 percent share for Balochistan for exploration work in the region. A certain percentage should also be fixed for the area where such a work is being carried out. A participant maintained that foreign trawlers are issued licenses from Islamabad for tuna fish catch which are affecting the local fishermen.
He said a policy should be framed in this respect so that local fishermen''s interest is not harmed. He also spoke of the problem of dredging of Pasni Harbour. Musharraf heard the problems patiently and pointed out that 70 percent of fish go waste because of lack of temperature control and proper packaging.
President Pervez Musharraf stressed the need for improvement of boats and to adopt modern technologies to avoid wastage. He said Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf are taking steps in this direction and federal government would also extend support in this regard.
A participant called for the establishment of a Cadet College in Panjgur.
District Nazim of Gwadar, Abdul Ghafoor Kalmati presented welcome address.
He said the master plan for Gwadar has been approved. He also thanked President Musharraf for development policies in Gwadar and provision of basic facilities.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf also spoke on the occasion.
He said President Musharraf is paying personal attention for the development of Balochistan.
Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani was also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, addressing a gathering after performing the ground-breaking ceremony of a labour colony constructed jointly by Federal Ministry of Labour and Manpower and the Workers Welfare Board, the President said world best port operators would be brought in to initiate operation at Gwadar Port for making it popular among seafarers. He added this exercise was necessary as otherwise the desired results could not be achieved.
The President said there would be investment/employment and increased economic activity and prosperity in the region when the port becomes functional and offers competitive service to the coming vessels. Gwadar Port, Musharraf said, would be linked with Central Asian republics, besides linking it with Coastal Highway, RCD Highway, Indus Highway and Karachi Coastal Highway, while a railway link with the entire country was being given active consideration.
He announced a number of steps for educating the youth from Balochistan, providing them with technical training and employment.
President Musharraf called upon the youth from Balochistan to learn some technical skills. They should learn some technical work for better emoluments, better employment and better future the President said adding that education needs to be promoted in Balochistan for its speedy development. "I have contacted a number of reputable institutions all over Pakistan for training the youth from Balochistan", he said.
The President announced scholarships for brilliant children from Balochistan in cadet colleges, higher education in universities and professional colleges for youth from the province.
Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousuf in his brief address said the dream of development of Balochistan could not be transformed into reality without President General Pervez Musharraf.