QUETTA, Aug 27: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that mega projects launched in Balochistan would bring about prosperity in the province besides removing the sense of deprivation prevailing among its people since last 50 years.

Addressing a public gathering in Bagh Head in Jafferabad district on Wednesday, the president said the government attached utmost importance to the development of Balochistan and wanted to bring it at par with other provinces.

Referring to elements campaigning against the development projects in Balochistan, he said: “These elements are not public-friendly. People should be aware of them and not give them the opportunity to achieve their nefarious ends.”

Development of the province, he said, was development of the entire country, and assured the people that nobody would be allowed to snatch the rights of the people of Balochistan.

President Musharraf directed the provincial government to work out such plans that could generate employment opportunities and enable the poor to improve their living standards.

He said he would pay a visit to the provincial capital shortly to acquaint himself with the development activities in the province.

About the flood victims of the province, the president said the government would do all it could to make up for the losses of the people, besides taking steps for their early rehabilitation.

He directed the provincial and district governments to conduct a survey in the affected areas to assess the actual loss caused by rains and floods, and held out an assurance that more funds would be released for the rehabilitation of the affected people, if needed.

President Musharraf announced Rs50 million for the flood-affected people of Balochistan, and said it would be in addition to the same amount announced by the prime minister earlier.

He also distributed relief goods among the people affected by floods and gave away cheques for Rs50,000 each to the legal heirs of the people who died in recent rains and floods.

Earlier, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali thanked the president for visiting the flood-affected areas of the province and announcing Rs50 million for the affected people.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf, speaking on the occasion, apprised the president of the steps so far taken for the rehabilitation of the affected people.

Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, Corps Commander Quetta Lt-Gen Shahid Hamid, provincial ministers, senior officials and tribal notables were also present on the occasion.—APP

Our Jacobabad correspondent adds: The president was welcomed at the Shahbaz Air Base by Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar and Jacobabad district Nazim Shabbir Bijarani.

Soon after his arrival, the president, along with the prime minister and Balochistan chief minister, went to Head Bagh in Jafferabad, Balochistan.