QUETTA, Feb 17: The Balochistan government would purchase the ownership of the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and would approach Islamabad for talks in this regard.

The issue was discussed in the provincial cabinet meeting held here on Monday, which was presided over the Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousaf. The Provincial Governor Lt-Gen (Retd) Abdul Quadir was also present on the occasion.

The cabinet after lengthy discussion on the PPL issue has agreed to purchase the ownership of PPL and decided to hold talks with the federal government in this connection.

The meeting also discussed proposed National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and decided that provincial government would plead its case with full force in the forthcoming meeting of the NFC and would make all possible efforts for getting maximum share.

“The issue of NFC award is very important for the province,” Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousaf said. He said that Balochistan must be given more funds in view of its being backward.

The secretary, finance gave briefing to the cabinet members about the NFC award and other financial matters and informed that under the constitution National Finance Commission gives an award after every five years. He said that the commission basically gives its recommendations for the distribution of resources between federation and provinces and determine the grants of the provinces.

He said that National Finance Commission has given last award in 1995, which was still existing and on the basis of population the Balochistan’s constitutional quota is 5.3 per cent. He said that the meeting of National Finance Commission was expected soon in which the recommendations of the various groups would be finalized.

The chief minister, addressing the cabinet meeting, welcomed the assurance of the governor about his help and cooperation to his government and said that it will be very helpful in resolving the issue of NFC award and other matters relating to the federation. He said that he believed in resolving all issues and problems through negotiation and consultation.

“We will resolve all problems with mutual consultation,” Jam Yousaf said and added that his government would always respond in a positive way in reply of help and cooperation, as it was their traditions.

The provincial minister, chief secretary, Major (Retd) Mohammad Ashraf Nasar, provincial secretaries and official concerned attended the meeting.