August 29, 2003	Friday	Jumadi-us-Sani 30, 1424

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RAWALPINDI, Aug 28: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali attended a meeting here on Thursday in which the government finalised its strategy for opening up Balochistan for exploration activities, and rein in those tribal chiefs who were hampering the development activities in the province.

Official sources said the president and the prime minister held “wide-ranging discussions” on matters concerning Balochistan.

An official, who attended the four-hour meeting told Dawn that President Musharraf said Balochistan’s natural resources, which had remained untapped for a long time, would now be utilised fully for national development.

He said all efforts to project the country as a gateway to energy-rich Central Asia “get neutralized when the pipelines are attacked, or the companies involved in exploration are not allowed to work by the tribal chiefs.”

The meeting was informed that law and order situation was improving after the establishment of checkposts in Bugti and Mazari areas.

The operation for flushing out the criminals hiding on the belt of the three provinces was considered as successful, and it was decided that there would not be any letup on this score in future.

It was decided that national assets would be protected at all costs, and no tribal chief would be allowed to dictate his terms for extracting benefits from the companies engaged in exploration and development.

The president said: “There is no room for complacency under the present circumstances and strict vigil must be kept on all trouble-fomenting elements.”

The president and the prime minister also reviewed the progress with regard to the Gwadar Port and other development projects in Balochistan.

They were of the view that, upon completion, these projects would usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in the country.

They would also generate employment, trade and economic opportunities.

The meeting was also attended by Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani, Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf, Federal Interior Minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, Federal Petroleum Minister Chaudhry Noraiz Shakoor, Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Vice Chief of Army Staff Gen Mohammad Yousaf, besides senior government functionaries.

The two leaders were briefed on the progress made so far in connection with the rehabilitation of the people affected by the recent rains and floods in Balochistan.

It was decided that no financial or technical constraint should be allowed to hamper the relief work in any manner whatsoever.

The prime minister also apprised the president of his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and his talks with the Saudi leadership.

President House officials, however, said there was no separate meeting between the two.