ISLAMABAD, March 12: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yusuf expressed the hope on Wednesday that the National Finance Commission (NFC) award’s issue would be resolved amicably in the upcoming meeting of the commission.

“There are some reservations on the distribution of financial resources to the province— we hope that the matter will be resolved amicably,” he told a questioner at a press talk in the Parliament House cafeteria.

When asked to comment on the security of gas pipelines in the province, he said these were never threatened in the province.

However, he said, in the light of recent blast incidents in Punjab, security personnel were deployed to protect the pipelines in the province.

He termed demands of Bugti tribe justified and told newsmen that a committee headed by the chief secretary of Balochistan would soon be meeting with Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti to discuss the matters. The body also includes representatives of the PPL and OGDCL.

Answering a question, Jam Muhammad Yousaf said offers for employment to the local populace of Gwadar in the construction of the deep seaport were being issued.

“It is not possible to employ all the local people in the project since the plan requires skilled persons, so the jobs for unskilled persons are being offered,” he clarified.

The chief minister said many uplift projects had been initiated in the province, which on their completion would usher in a new era of development.

He said the inhabitants and trade establishments along coastal areas of the province were being provided electricity. For the purpose, he said, the government of Iran would bear all the expenses for provision of necessary power infrastructure.

The electricity to these areas would be provided at comparatively cheaper rates, he said.

Welcoming the announcement of a Sasti Basti project by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, he said the plan would help provide shelter to the homeless people in the remote parts of the province.—APP