August 17, 2003	Sunday	Jumadi-us-Sani 18, 1424

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QUETTA, Aug 16: The National Economic Council (NEC) has allocated Rs8 billion for greater Quetta irrigation project.

A meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf, held here on Saturday was informed that under the irrigation project old pipelines would be replaced, two dams would be constructed, a water recycling plant would be installed and new tubewells set up.

The meeting also discussed the progress of drought emergency recovery assistance (Dera) and drought impact mitigation recovery component (DIMRC) projects besides reviewing the public sector development programme (PSDP).

The chief minister directed that the funds for the new financial year should be released after submission of the progress reports of the ongoing projects for the rehabilitation and monitoring should be made effective besides taking assistance from the chief minister’s inspection commission.

Mr Yousuf ordered that monitoring system should be made effective and implementation of Dera and DIMRC projects should be ensured.

TERRORISTS WARNED: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf has declared that neither terrorist acts nor anonymous threatening letters could stop him and his government from serving the people and the province.

Talking to newsmen after performing national flag-hoisting ceremony at the Provincial Assembly lawn on Thursday, he stated that the terrorists involved in the Asna-i-Ashari mosque attack of July 4, which left more than 50 people dead, would be tried in Anti-Terrorism Court.

Referring to rocket and hand-grenade attacks and other acts of terrorism being committed by terrorists in different parts of the province, he said through such acts the terrorists were trying to destabilize the democratic process, but pledged that these terrorists would not succeed in their designs.

He said that anonymous threatening letters had been distributed on the eve of the Independence Day to frighten the people not to take part in the Aug 14 celebrations but such nefarious acts could not stop them from showing their love for the country and the province.

He bitterly criticized the political groups who were opposing the construction of Gwadar seaport by misleading the people that its construction would pave the way for the flow of the people from Punjab to the town.

He observed that the Gwadar mega project would be a national asset and “we should look at it with a broad angle to encourage investors to invest in the project to develop the area which would create job opportunities for the people of the area.

Mr Yousuf said that the people should not forget that without capital and without skilled labour no area in the world could be developed and the province badly needed these two things to develop the province and to rid it of the backwardness.