QUETTA, April 19: Speakers at a seminar have supported the government plan to develop Balochistan, observing that establishment of new cantonments and completion of mega projects will usher in a new era in the province. They expressed the hope that the uplift plan would bring prosperity to Balochistan.

The seminar on the "Mega Projects and Establishment of Cantonments in Balochistan", held here on Sunday, was organized by the Pakistan Workers Party. Party president Nasrullah Kakar presided over the event while a tribal notable from Kohlu, Sardar Balakh Sher Pawadi Marri, was chief guest on the occasion.

A declaration adopted at the seminar noted that Gwadar mega projects, including deep seaport, coastal highway, Gwadar-Dalbandin-Quetta-Kandahar railway line, would generate tremendous jobs and pave way for the development of the province.

The speakers said new cantonments would not only protect the areas concerned, but also play a role in their development. They also supported all internal and external policies of the present government, saying that they were essential for peace, national security, trade and international relations.

The speakers condemned the elements working against the integrity and solidarity of the homeland. The declaration called upon the government to prefer locals in the Gwadar port project and other related schemes to remove the sense of deprivation prevailed among them and also take steps for their welfare.

The speakers extended unconditional support to the government policies to normalize relations with India. It also supported the privatization of Habib Bank. They welcomed prime minister's suggestions to set up provinces at division level, saying that it would also curtail opposition of Kalabagh dam, besides improving the law and order and expedite the uplift process.

They advised the government not to repeat any mistake of the past that could create misunderstanding among the people of Balochistan. The seminar demanded that the government should ban anti-state parties and encourage those having programmes for national development and public welfare in their manifestoes.

The declaration observed that the position of the national exchequer was quite satisfactory, therefore an attractive relief package for the poor should also be included in the forthcoming budget.

It condemned the March 2 tragedy and lauded the role of the Pakistan Army and local government played to restore peace in the city. Balkh Sher Marri, Sardar Abdul Qadir Mengal, Mir Mohammed Umer Ahmedzai, Aurangzeb, Mohammed Akbar Yousufzai, Aminuddin Bazai, Umer Shah Mashwani and Ghulam Rabbani also spoke on the occasion.