QUETTA, March 8: Supply of coal from mines in Chamalang started with the first convoy of loaded trucks leaving for different areas of the country on Thursday.

Inaugurating the supply of coal from the mines on Thursday, Major Gen Mohammad Farooq of the 12 Corps warned trouble-makers that impairment of development works would be dealt with an iron hand.

He claimed army’s efforts had made the Chamalang-Mekhtar track operational for heavy traffic enabling coal trucks to go to other areas.

He said that tribal rivalry in the area during the last three decades had obstructed the mining of coal in Chamalang and the agreement of December 12, 2006 between the Marri and Luni tribes removed all obstacles.

He claimed that the project would provide employment to 40,000 people whereas according to a rough estimate the profit from the supply of coal would be worth Rs30 billion per annum.

He further said that priority would be given to the establishment of schools, hospitals, better communication system, and the facility of standard hotels for visitors to the area.

Major Gen Farooq said the project would not only change the livelihood of the people of Kohlu, Loralai and Barkhan but also play a vital role in the economic progress of Balochistan.

He asked anti-progress forces to play a positive role in developmental activities of the province instead of misleading the innocent people.

However, he cautioned that the government would not allow fugitives to impair the development programme in the area.

Provincial Minister for Minerals Sardar Masood Khan Luni, district nazim Loralai Sardar Jehanzeb Luni and tribal elder of Marri tribe Mir Liaquat Marri also spoke.