May 1, 2003	Thursday	Safar 28, 1424

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GWADAR, April 30: The Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousaf has said that the Gwadar Master Plan would be revised to avoid a large-scale displacement of local population.

He was talking to newsmen who had come from all over Balochistan here on Wednesday.

He said the government had decided to make changes in the plan in view of the locals’ concern about the much-feared adverse effects of the original plan.

“We will make some changes in the master plan in the interest of the people and ensure its implementation,” he announced.

He said that alternative land and financial compensation would be provided to all those who will be displaced by the Plan.

The chief minister said that the people’s interest would be protected and no individual or group will be allowed to exploit the situation for political gain.

He said that a ban had already been imposed on the sale and purchase of land in Gwadar to outsiders. “This step had been taken to prevent the land mafia from exploiting the situation,” he said.

Referring to the Gwadar Deep Seaport Project, the the chief minister said that the first phase of the project would be completed by July 2005.

He said that with the construction of the Deep Seaport, Gwadar will become the commercial hub of the province; work on the infrastructural development was under way.

He said that according to the Gwadar Master Plan about 45,000 acres will be provided for the industrial zone.

He informed the visiting newsmen that heads of various private and nationalized banks have assured that they would established their offices in Gwadar’s main commercial area.

He said that China had agreed to build a “Friendship Hall in Gwadar” to further trade, economic and cultural relations between Pakistan and China.

He said that full attention would be given to maintaining law and order.

Replying to a question about tourism, the chief minister said that Pakistan could learn a lot from the Chinese experience.

He said that under the Plan some 80 to 90 thousands modern housing units would be built.

Responding to another question the chief minister said that sick industrial units in Hub (a town with 150 units) and other parts of the province would also be revived.

He said that the Federal Minister for Industry and Production, Liaquat Ali Jatoi recently visited Quetta, and will be going to Uthal on May 5 to review the possibility of recommissioning the Uthal Textile Mills.

He said that many such units have already been recommissioned in the Lasbela Industrial Estate as well.