QUETTA, March 1 The traditional Sibi Mela began in Sibi's sports stadium on Monday.

Inaugurating the five-day festival at a colourful ceremony, Federal Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd said the festival had economic importance as it provided an opportunity to livestock breeders to bring their goats, sheep, cattle, cows and camels for sale.

He said the government was making all out efforts to resolve problems being faced by the people of Balochistan.

He said the Aghaz-i-Huqooq-i-Balochistan package was being implemented to bring the province on a par with developed areas of the country.

While livestock traders brought their animals to the festival, government departments set up stalls at an agriculture exhibition which is part of the festival.

Mr Kurd also opened the agriculture exhibition.

District Nazim Sibi Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki presented the welcome address in which he highlighted the problems of Sibi.

Provincial Minister Hamal Kalmati, Chief Secretary Balochistan Ahmed Bakhsh Lehri, Commissioner Sibi division Qamar Masood and a large number of people attended the opening ceremony. —Staff Correspondent