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| 24 February 2004 | Tuesday | 03 Muharram 1425 |
Cut in power rate after Muharram: Jamali opens projects in Balochistan
SUKKUR, Feb 23: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali has said that a 50-60 paisa per unit reduction in electricity charges will be made after Muharram, while fertilizer and pesticide prices will also be slashed to provide relief to farmers.
Speaking at separate functions in the Jaferabad district of Balochistan where he inaugurated three projects on Monday, the prime minister said cut in prices would not only provide relief to people, it would also give a boost to the agriculture sector.
The functions Mr Jamali attended were inauguration of a Khushhali Bank branch, work on the National Highway between Dera Allah Yar and Notal and a 50-bed hospital in Dera Allah Yar in district Jaferabad.
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Yousuf, US Ambassador Nancy Powell and USAID Director Lisa Chiles also attended the functions.
The prime minister said these projects were aimed at providing basic amenities to the people and raising their standard of living. He said these projects would root out poverty not only from Balochistan but from the entire country.
Mr Jamali said the government was following the economic policies of President Pervez Musharraf which had put the country on the path of development. He stated that these policies also won praise from neighbouring countries.
Describing relations between US President George Bush and President Musharraf as exemplary, Mr Jamali said after 9/11 the policies adopted by President Musharraf successfully steer the country out of crisis.
He praised the US monetary assistance for the Khushhali Bank and other projects, and added that the two countries were working together in various sectors.
The first project inaugurated by the prime minister was the 50-bed hospital in Dera Allah Yar. Speaking on the occasion, he said all modern facilities would be provided at the hospital, which would be extended up to 100 beds in near future.
He said after the completion of the hospital the area people would not have to go to Karachi or Quetta for medical treatment. On this occasion Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz announced a donation of Rs100 million and said that additional funds would also be provided to equip this hospital with all modern facilities.
Later, the prime minister inaugurated the Khushhali Bank's first prototype retail branch, where he said the bank was expanding its network of branches across Pakistan, and focussing development in those area which had been neglected in the past due to lack of resources.
Mr Jamali said the government was committed to launching development projects throughout Pakistan and was particularly focusing on the well-being of the people of Balochistan and Sindh.
Speaking on the occasion, the Khushhali Bank president appreciated the US support to the bank's microfinance service launched in 10 districts of Balochistan and four districts of Sindh.
He said under the USAID funding the Khushhali Bank would disburse microcredit loans to over 270,000 households in three years. On this occasion, Prime Minister Jamali and Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz appreciated the pace of progress shown by Pakistan's microfinance sector, and said that 50 million poor across the country needed urgent assistance in establishing their trade and enterprises.
Speaking on the occasion US Ambassador Nancy Powell said the USAID could assist people in improving their skills and increase their income. She added that the bank's programme would also provide job opportunities to the people of Balochistan and Sindh.
Nancy Powell said the US was ready to provide help to Pakistan's socioeconomic sector. She said a programme for teachers education had been launched under which a large number of teachers would visit the US where they would be imparted necessary training.
She said the government should pay attention towards eliminating the curse of narcotics from the society, and added that the NWFP areas along the border with Afghanistan should be made safe so as to curb terrorist activities in the country.
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