17 January 2005	Monday	06 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Balochistan had huge reserves of oil, gas and other natural resources and the government was focusing on tapping these reserves.

In a meeting with Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Mir Mohammad Naseer Khan Mengal, the prime minister said a number of companies were carrying out exploration activities in the province.

He expressed the hope that the standard of living of the people of Balochistan would be raised once the mega projects were completed. "The unprecedented investment is being made in Balochistan that would provide job opportunities to the people and bring prosperity to the area," he said.