09 March 2005	Wednesday	27 Muharram 1426

JACOBABAD, March 8: Acting President and Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro has said the parliamentary committee on Balochistan will soon submit its report to the president.

Talking to journalists after the awards distribution ceremony at the Bahria College here on Tuesday, he hoped that the committee's recommendations would help resolve the issue and allay misgivings of people of Balochistan.

About reports of the government's deal with the People's Party Parliamentarians, he said he was not aware of any deal. Speaking at the college function, Mr Soomro stressed the need for improving the standard of education.

He observed that education played an important role in improving the living standard of people. He said the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also emphasized people to acquire education. The role of education and technical know-how in the progress of a country could not be denied, he said.

The senate chairman said the government was paying full attention to improvement of the education sector. He referred to establishment of educational institutes in backward areas in this regard.

Answering a question, he said efforts were being made to establish a cadet college in the district which would also encourage students to join the army. Replying to another question, Mr Soomro said a comprehensive package for development of the Jacobabad city had been prepared, details of which were available with the DCO. He said a branch of the Micro Credit Bank of the Agha Khan Foundation would also be established in the district.

About high fees charged by the Bahria College, he said merit scholarships would be provided to deserving students. Later, prizes and medals were distributed among outstanding students.

OUR SHIKARPUR CORRESPONDENT: Mr Soomro told journalists at the Dargah Hamayoon Sharif that the government was determined to stabilize the democratic process so that people's problems could be resolved at their doorsteps.