QUETTA, Nov 14: Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani has invited investments in oil and gas exploration in the province and assured full protection to national and foreign investors.

He told newsmen on telephone from Islamabad after meeting Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and some federal ministers that NOCs had been issued to five national and international companies for investments in the oil and gas sector.

“We should make Balochistan stand on its own feet so that it does not have to seek dole” from the federal government, he said.

The chief minister said the federal government should extend all help to the province in exploration and development of its natural resources.The chief minister said he had apprised the premier of the situation in quake-hit areas, adding that his government was doing everything possible to provide relief and was making arrangements to rehabilitee the affected people.

Mr Raisani said the federal government had released Rs2 billion at the request of the provincial government for rehabilitation of the quake victims.

He said that a report had been sent to the federal government on a survey of the quake-affected areas. The government would provide cash to help the survivors to build their homes according to their need, he added.