QUETTA, May 30: Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf has said that the victory of Pakistan Muslim League candidate Sardar Fateh Mohammad Hasni in the by-election to the National Assembly seat NA-271, Kharan-cum-Panjgur, shows that people support large projects and the policies of President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

In a statement issued here, the chief minister congratulated Mr Hasni and claimed that his victory reflected that people in his constituency and the rest of the province supported the development programme launched by the federal government in Balochistan.

He said the result should make it clear to the nationalists that people did not support them against development activities.

He claimed that the victory of the PML proved that the patriotic and progressive people were willing to participate in economic progress by supporting the government’s development plans, which would bring prosperity and change the life of the poor.

He said the so-called champion of Baloch rights always joined hands when they saw their personal interests at stake.

Mr Yousuf said the party was gaining ground in the strongholds of the nationalists that indicated that people wanted a change in political outlook to promote the politics of accommodation and mutual understanding.

He said people was aware that confrontation and narrow-minded approach to political issues in the past had badly affected economic progress and caused deprivation and backwardness in Balochistan.

APP adds: PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi have Sardar Hasni on winning the by-election. Chaudhry Shujaat said the mandate of the people of Kharan and Panjgur was a recognition of the development package for Balochistan.