QUETTA, Nov 1: Balochistan will have two more marble cities in Khuzdar and Dalbandin while three modal centres would be set up in the province at a cost of Rs270 million with funding from the federal government for the development of the mineral sector.

The decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting held here, which was attended by Chief Minister Jam Yousuf and Federal Minister for Industry and Production Jahangir Tareen.

The meeting reviewed the issues related to mineral development in the province and the progress made on the implementation of the programme for cementing the water tanks and drains.

The meeting was briefed on the plans for exploring minerals, especially marble, grained, onyx and other precious stones and their export to the international markets.

The meeting was informed that the government had set up Pakistan Stone Development Company with the collaboration of the private sector that would take steps for exploration and development of minerals in the country, especially in Balochistan, promoting investment in this sector and its access to the international markets.

The meeting was told that the federal government would establish a modern centre at Gadani Marble City at a cost of Rs140 million that would provide training and marble products manufacturing facilities in the area. The provincial government would provide land for the centre.

It was decided in the meeting that two more marble cities would be set up in the province while more facilities would be extended in Loralai for exploration and development of minerals with the financial help of the federal government.

It was further decided that the federal and provincial governments would jointly take steps for providing basic infrastructure, including supply of electricity in the mineral-rich areas of Balochistan and special arrangements would be made for providing power supply to the Chagai district.

The meeting also reviewed the pace of implementation on the president’s programme for cementing water tanks and drains in the province.

It was informed that during last one year 3,755 drains and water tanks were cemented in the province at a cost of Rs1 billion and up to June next year 4,000 more drains and water tanks would be cemented.

Federal Minister for Industry and Production Jahangir Tareen informed the meeting that the steps for the development of mineral resources in Balochistan would continue and the federal government would provide maximum financial resources and technical assistance to the province in this regard.