QUETTA, Feb 8: Preparations have been finalised for holding the historic Sibi festival in the third week of February.

Chief Minister Jam Yousuf presided over a meeting in Sibi on Thursday and ordered the release of required funds for the festival.

Provincial Chief Secretary K.B Rind and IGP Tariq Masood Khosa also attended the meeting. The chief minister also ordered officials to take steps for improving the festival’s standard and said that it had been deteriorating for with the passage of time.

The chief minister said that the festival should be given a new shape to generate greater public interest. He said that the festival could create an opportunity for trade and economic activity at regional level.

The chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to improve the Sibi airport.

The provincial chief secretary informed the meeting that funds for the festival had already been released and steps were also being taken to remove other hurdles.—Staff Correspondent