25 December 2004	Saturday	12 Ziqa'ad 1425

QUETTA, Dec 24: The Balochistan government has taken strict security measures in the country on the eve of Christmas. Heavy contingents of law-enforcement agencies were deployed around all the churches in the province.

The Christian community has completed preparations for celebrating Christmas. Rush was seen in bazaars of the city. Talking to a delegation led by MPA Ambrose John Frances, which called on him on Saturday, Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf congratulated the community on the eve of Christmas and lauded its services in the development of Balochistan, especially in the fields of education and health.

He said the community enjoyed all basic rights in the province and the government was making all possible efforts for their welfare and to protect their rights.

He underlined the need for creating understanding, brotherhood and unity the people of different religions in the province. "It was necessary to foil the nefarious designs of anti-social elements which could harm the law and order situation," he said.