June 1, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 4, 1427

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QUETTA, May 31: Senator Mir Mohabat Khan Marri has urged the federal government to take measures to explore untapped natural resources in the Marri area.

Speaking at a press conference at his residence here on Wednesday evening, he said the Marri area was rich in natural resources, including huge reserves of oil and gas.

“Exploration of untapped resources will play an important role in development of the province and the country in general and of this backward area in particular,” said Mohabat Khan.

He said the share of local tribesmen in royalty of the resources should be determined through negotiations and maximum benefits should be offered to local people.

The senator said the way some elements had adopted for getting rights for the people of Balochistan could not be supported because firing rockets, bomb blasts, landmine explosions and attacks on security forces was not a solution to the issue.

“Our elders calling themselves nationalists should come forward and start talks with the government for ensuring rights of the people of Balochistan,” he said. He regretted that the nationalist leaders had remained in power but had done nothing for the people of their areas.

He criticised the attitude of nationalist parties, saying they were opposing development projects just to protect their own interests because they thought that with the development in their areas they would lose control over the people.

The PML senator said the government was paying attention to Balochistan uplift and Rs140 billion projects, including the Gwadar port, Saindak project, coastal highway, Kachhi canal and many small and big dams, were being carried out in the province.