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QUETTA, Aug 29: Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf has said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has empowered him to take steps for the development of Balochistan , and the federal government will honour its commitment to accelerate pace of progress in the province.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Marble City Industrial Unit Phase 1 at Gadani on Sunday, he announced that industrialists would get plots of one-acre land free of cost to establish industrial units for processing of marble for export.
He said the provincial government has allotted 600 acres of land and 50 million rupees for this purpose, and that the project would provide jobs to 5,000 youths of the area.
Explaining his government's policies, the chief minister said that government was giving importance to the fishing and mining sectors to upgrade them into industries.
APP ADDS: Chief Minister Jam Mohammed Yousuf inaugurated Marble city at Gadani on Sunday. The first phase of the project spreads over 600 acres of land with 300 plots for processing units. The Balochistan government has allowed to provide plots each measuring 100 acres free of cost to the investors for marble products which would be exported.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the government intends to give industrial status to fisheries and mining sectors to accelerate their development. Criticizing the opponents of Mega projects in the province, Jam Yousuf said "they are Balochistanis but we differ from their approach and thinking as they want to keep the province backward."
He said the province has been kept hostage by certain elements who wanted to continue with the old system to keep the people away from the benefits of development and progress to compete in the world. But these elements would fail in their attempts as no one can derail the process.
The people have become conscious enough of their rights and interests and wanted to progress, he maintained. He invited the media persons from all over the country to witness the development work undergoing in peaceful atmosphere.
The Chief Minister reiterated that wherever terrorists' camps exist the would be smashed. He said that if those opposing development come to power, they would not only support mega projects but also favour establishment of cantonments in the province. But they have to win the confidence of the people to return to power.
He praised President Musharraf for taking keen interest in development of Balochistan and said the credit for present development process goes to him. Referring to his meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz the other day, Jam Yousuf said that he had assured him of giving preference to the problems being faced by Balochistan, and timely completion of on-going mega projects.
He said his government would cooperate in implementation of all measures and steps announced by the Prime Minister for development of the province. Pointing out towards industrial development in Lasbela District, the Chief Minister said that the main reason behind it is the cooperation on the part of the local people to the investors coming from other parts of the country.
This did not turn them into minority. The people of Lasbela in fact showed the way to the investors to enter into Balochistan and now they will reach all corners of the province.
He said the government is providing all facilities to the investors but in return it wants them to provide jobs to local people. Referring to the development of Gwadar, Jam Yousuf said: "We want to make Gwadar a city which every citizen of the country could take due pride in."
He said his government would not take any decision against the interest of the people and assured that it would not change its principled stand on NFC and other important issues.
He announced 25 per cent subsidy on electricity charges in Marble City. He said that laws would be enacted to stop the transportation of marble to other parts of the country, to make the proposed city a success.
