April 5, 2003	Saturday	Safar 2, 1424

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QUETTA, April 4: Balochistan will make every effort to secure royalty on its gas according to the existing market rates.

This was decided at a meeting of Balochistan’s Senators held on Thursday, with Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf in the chair.

The CM had invited all the Senators representing the province in the upper house, to brief them on the government’s stance on the National Finance Commission award, and to evolve a joint strategy to plead the province’s case.

The meeting, attended by 20 Senators, agreed that a joint position would be taken in the Senate regarding Balochistan’s share in the NFC award, and other key problems facing the province.

The meeting urged consensus amongst all the Senators and MNAs representing Balochistan in parliament, on the province’s issues.

The participants agreed to make joint efforts to get royalty on gas according to the existing market rate.

“We need to make joint efforts, and adopt a joint stand, for getting more share in the national resources to bring Balochistan at par with other provinces,” Jam Yousaf said at the meeting.

He said that his government would not compromise on Balochistan’s rights.

He urged MPs from Balochistan to adopt a joint stand on the problems facing the province, regardless of party affiliation.

The chief minister assured the Senators that he would consult all MPs on provincial matters, and give due consideration to their advice.

The Senators assured the CM of their cooperation in getting Balochistan its due rights.

The provincial finance secretary briefed the Senators on the progress made so far concerning the next NFC award.