QUETTA: A seven-day Ziarat festival was inaugurated at the hill resort on Sunday in presence of ministers, parliamentarians, civil and military officials and a large number of other people.

Balochistan Information Minister Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal inaugurated the festival on behalf of the chief minister.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Ziaratwal said the festival had proved that the province had got rid of the fear of terrorism and “the people of Balochistan are enjoying a peaceful environment after several years”. He said holding sport events and other similar activities demoralised terrorists.

He said the government had approached the World Bank and other international donors to help Balochistan develop its natural resources.

“We will also approach the federal government for increasing the financial allocations for Ziarat and Juniper forest areas announced by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,” he said.

The minister said industrial units would be set up in the province to utilise local minerals and help overcome unemployment.

He said the government was paying special attention to development of the fisheries and mining sectors which would boost the local economy.

He said holding of the Sibi, Harnai, Ziarat and Quetta festivals had proved that the people had rejected extremism and anti-peace elements.

Speaking on the occasion, Balochistan Minister for Planning and Development Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai said all state institutions should work within the constitutional framework.

He said there were no good or bad terrorists and they would be dealt with without any discrimination.

Mr Achakzai also said the province had been rid of fear and terror.

In addition to a performance by schoolchildren, Frontier Corps personnel participated in a musical show and Levies presented a salute.

Various sport events will be held during the festival.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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