GWADAR, Oct 25: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf has announced a Rs1.5 billion development package for Gwadar city.

Speaking at a public meeting held by the National Alliance here on Friday, he said a Rs1 billion desalination plant would be set up to provide 25 million gallon water daily to the future port city.

A Rs200 million polytechnic institute and a Rs2 million fisheries training institute will also be established in Gwadar, he announced and added that work on the polytechnic institute would begin soon.

The chief minister told the audience that Rs100 million out of the drought fund provided by the prime minister would be spent on the construction of roads in Gwadar.

The drought fund package include water supply and irrigation schemes and construction of vital roads.

The chief minister, to give a boost to village electrification programme, announced a Rs50 million allocation and another Rs50 million for water supply projects in different areas around Gwadar.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Labour and Manpower Abdul Sattar Lalika announced a contribution of 50 acres of land to build 300 houses for the poor fishermen, besides 200 marine engines to them.

The federal minister for communications announced shifting of headquarters of the Gwadar Port Authority from Karachi to Gwadar immediately. He clarified that the port city belonged to Balochistan and it would remain a part of the province and no one could separate it from Balochistan.

He offered to train at least 100 people at the Karachi Port Trust. Trainees would be provided all facilities, including accommodation, the minister said.