QUETTA, Feb 16: The federal minister for local government, rural development and manpower, Owais Ahmed Ghani, inaugurated the five-day Sibi Mela on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, he urged people to remain united for meeting the challenges being faced by Pakistan in the prevailing global and regional situation.

He said problems being faced by provinces, specially by Balochistan, was the result of negligence, and wrong polices adopted by the previous governments.

But the new local government system, he said, aimed at improving the system, and blocking the way of vested interests. Mr Ghani urged the people and their representatives to make the new system a success.

The minister said the government was determined to work for the construction and uplift of Pakistan, and had taken various steps for the speedy development and prosperity of backward areas of the country.

He said the government was setting up grammar schools in every district of the country through workers welfare fund, in which boys and girls would be imparted education separately.

The mela will conclude on Monday.

Earlier, the provincial finance minister Jalil Khan Dotani said that despite geographical importance in the region the province had been ignored depriving its people of their due rights. He said the government had announced various uplift projects, including Gwadar port, Mirani Dam, Saindak Project and Kachhi Canal.