QUETTA: Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Sardar Mohammad Saleh Bhootani inaugurated the historical annual Sibi festival on Friday.

Speaking at a ceremony in Sibi Stadium, he said the festival, on the one hand had a historical importance and for better coordination-cum-understanding among the people from different walks of life and, on the other, had economic importance for the people who came from all over the country to sell and purchase livestock worth millions of rupees.

He said animal farming, livestock and agriculture were the backbone of the economy of Balochistan and this event highlighted their importance.

Mr Bhootani said that keeping in view the significance of these particular areas, the provincial government had taken important measures to increase productivity. He highlighted the steps taken by the government for the development of different sectors and ending unemployment in the province. He said various unnecessary check-posts had been removed in the province while new posts were announced to provide employment to the educated youth.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2022