‘Ongoing development projects to bring prosperity’
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Labour Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Sunday said ongoing development projects in Balochistan would bring prosperity and change the life-style of people of the province.
The minister while talking to APP on Sunday said President General Pervez Musharraf is taking personal interest in the development of Balochistan to alleviate the poverty.
He said that the federal government on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee had approved development and incentive package of Rs. 10 billion for Balochistan to address the poverty alleviation.
Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that President Pervez Musharraf in his recent visit to Balochistan had also indicated future projectsof constructing oil refinery at Gwader port, setting up of newairport and LPG supply station, which would facilitate the localities of Chaman, Zhopa and Turbat, he added.
He said the use of Khojak Railway Tunnel linking Chaman withQuetta for road traffic is also under consideration.
The Minister said 500 km Kachhi Canal to be completed by 2009 at the cost of Rs. 35 billion, would irrigate more than 0.7 millions acres barren land of Balochistan.
He said that Mirani Dam to be completed in next June/July would water the 34,000 acres land of Makran, while Sabakzai Dam would 5 to 6 thousands acre area of Zhop, likely to be completed by September 2006.
Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that the federal government hasalready approved Rs. 800 million to address the drought-hit areasof the province and to develop the agriculture sector.
He added under the package centres of agriculture research and fisheries will be constructed.
The minister said these development projects aimed atcreating jobs opportunities in the province and bring prosperity at gross root level.
He said the province of Balochistan remained backward in past but the present government has been focusing on its uplift.
He said the recent announcement of Rs. 1.5 billion package for Kohlu by President General Pervez Musharraf will gear up the pace of development and remove the sense of deprivation among people of the province, particularly Kohlu district.
He urged all the political parties of Balochistan to join hands with government in development process of the province in larger interest of the people of the area.