QUETTA, Jan 8: Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi has urged the federal government to release funds meant for Kachhi canal and other projects.

Suspension of development funds by the federal government had affected several major projects in Balochistan and was causing delay in their execution, he said while inaugurating a bridge on the Kashmore-Sui road in Dera Bugti district on Tuesday.

The bridge was to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf but because of bad weather his visit was cancelled.

Mr Magsi said that not only the federal government but earlier governments in the province were also responsible for backwardness of the people of Balochistan and for not solving their problems.

“Our local leadership used to enjoy luxurious life on the public money and developments funds. They did not pay attention to the grievances of the downtrodden and oppressed people of Balochistan,” he said.

Raghib Ali Shah, chairman of Wapda, said the country would get 20,000MW electricity by 2020 after completion of several hydropower generation projects, including Tarbela.

He said Wapda had finalised arrangements to supply irrigation water to Dera Bugti this year. He said the prime minister was to be briefed on the Kachhi canal project but he could not visit Dera Bugti because of bad weather.