August 24, 2003	Sunday	Jumadi-us-Sani 25

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QUETTA, Aug 23: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousaf said on Saturday that the government had succeeded in curbing terrorism in the province to a great extent.

Speaking with trainee officers of the 31st course of the National Institute of Public Administration, he said an overwhelming majority of the people was against confrontation with the federation.

He said a small group of political activists was responsible for keeping the province backward by raising extremist slogans and opposing development projects.

Jam Yousaf dispelled the impression that the construction of the Gwadar port would turn the native population into a minority. He maintained that the financiers were investing for development activities and not to occupy land and the government was determined to protect the rights of the local population.

He clarified that vast land in Gwadar was owned by local people and the state land was very limited but the government had banned sale of land in the town.

He said Balochistan had reservation on the distribution formula under the National Finance Commission award and the backwardness of the province should be kept in view.

He said his government was facing the challenges of eliminating terrorism and confronting the anti-development forces.

He said the government with the backing of the people was making concerted efforts to sideline the defeated elements.

He said a group of activists was misleading innocent people and exploiting their sentiments but the people were conscious about their interests.

The chief minister said the coalition government was running smoothly and its partners took all the decisions with mutual understanding.

Replying to a question, he said neither the centre nor the provincial government intended to launch a military operation in any area of the province. He said the people of Balochistan were as loyal to the country as those of other provinces.