Most recent News.                                 Outgoing Year News 2005      

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GWADAR, Nov 17: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that at least 60 terrorist camps have been raided and destroyed in Balochistan. Speaking to Balochistan nazims and notables on Friday, he said terrorists trained at the camps had taken part in anti-state activities like bomb blasts and blowing up of electricity pylons, gas pipelines and railway tracks.

He also spoke about the various development projects being pursued by the government in the province.

He said that the Gwadar port would soon be operational and the government was in the process of selecting a suitable port operator.

He said that an oil refinery would be established in Gwadar where container terminals would also be set up.

He promised that seats would be reserved for students from Balochistan in all educational institutions across the country.

He urged people to elect those who espoused liberal and progressive ideologies. He called upon the masses to reject fundamentalist and backward-looking political parties.

President Musharraf said that the government had set into motion a development programme in Balochistan which, he said, militants armed and funded by the country’s enemies, would not be able to stop.

He said road and rail links would be established between Gwadar and other parts of the country. He added that a 1000-kilometre-long road was being built from Gwadar to Ratodero through Turbat and Khuzdar.

He said an international airport would also be built in Gwadar for which land had already been acquired. He said the foundation-stone of a labour colony had been laid where 100 houses would be built at a cost of Rs. 400 million.

QUETTA, Oct 13: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday announced a Rs19.5 billion provincial support programme for Balochistan for the current fiscal year and said the government was ready to hold negotiations with people who backed development of the country, particularly Balochistan.

Addressing a press conference at the Governor’s House at the start of his two-day visit to Quetta, he said a ‘Vision for Balochistan’ had been prepared by the federal and provincial governments.

Flanked by Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf, the prime minister said the support programme included a Rs2.2 billion Dera Bugti development package and added that the federal government would provide an additional Rs1 billion to the Gwadar Development Authority for building roads and other infrastructure projects in the new port city.

He said Rs1 billion would be provided for purchasing land in Gwadar where an international airport would be built. Each of Balochistan’s 29 districts will receive a grant of Rs100 million to start micro-level schemes aimed at providing relief to people.

Referring to the recent increase in Balochistan’s quota in federal jobs, he said the province would get a total of 33,357 jobs. These vacancies, he emphasised, should be filled as soon as possible.

He announced that 200 bulldozers would be provided to Balochistan at a cost of Rs2 billion, adding that tenders would soon be invited for the purpose.

He said the province would get Rs6.3 billion as its share in the NFC award, Rs2.5 billion as special package, Rs2.1 billion in debt relief, Rs2.9 billion from the Khushhal Pakistan Fund, Rs2 billion as gas development surcharge and Rs1.7 billion for establishing a housing colony for PPL workers at Tillimat.

Mr Aziz pointed out that 138 mega-projects, funded by the federal government, were already being executed in the province at a cost of Rs164 billion and said Rs31 billion had been allocated for the purpose in the current federal budget as against Rs25 billion earmarked last year. He said a development package involving Rs3.1 billion had been approved for the Kohlu district.

He said the government wanted to address the sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan by resolving their problems and improving their standard of life.

“We are making efforts to create a conducive atmosphere for local and foreign investment in Balochistan,” he said, adding that the agricultural potential of the province would be realised and its mineral wealth would be tapped.

The prime minister said that as a result of the quota increase, 6,000 additional jobs would be available to the province. People of Balochistan will be given 6,097 jobs in various federal departments and another 7,300 in the Pakistan Army.

Besides, he added, 70,000 jobs would be created by the mega-projects.

He said teams from Islamabad and other areas would visit Balochistan for interviews and selection of candidates and added that various departments would advertise vacancies in local newspapers soon.

The government has decided to relax selection criteria for candidates, he said, asking the youths to come forward and apply for jobs according to their qualification.

Mr Aziz announced that a scholarship scheme was being prepared for students of Balochistan and an ordinance for technical and vocational education had been passed. The federal government will help establish such institutes in the province. He said a stipend of Rs1,000 would be given to each student. A special quota will be allocated for students of Balochistan in the engineering and medical colleges of other provinces.

In reply to a question, the prime minister said the government believed in giving more powers to provinces and added that a Senate committee headed by Mr Wasim Sajjad, which was working on the matter, would soon submit its report.

APP adds: Mr Aziz said the government would also launch an internship scheme in government departments all over the country under which youths would be provided jobs at a monthly allowance of Rs10,000.

He said two big copper companies of the world — one from Canada and the other from Chile — were investing millions of dollar in the Recodik copper and gold project which would also generate employment.

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QUETTA Aug 25 : Balochistan Assembly at its session here Friday chaired by Deputy Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhotani admitted an adjournment motion for discussion while another was disposed off. Opposition member Akhtar Lango (BNP) warned of moving a privilege motion against Deputy Speaker who did not allow him to speak on admissibility of his motion. Moving a joint adjournment motion, Akhtar Lango and Akbar Mengal said that Balochistan Board of Revenue has issued orders that no one can hold more than 32 acres of land in Gwadar district. It is dacoity on the rights of the people who would not accept this decision. Speaking on admissibility of the motion Leader of the House and Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yusuf said that he had suspended the same order. He has also directed Chief Secretary to transfer MBR for issuing such controversial order and he should be served with show cause notice. Jam Yusuf said that during his visit to Gaddani, he had also asked President General Pervez Musharraf had outsiders had no right that they should be allotted land in the province. Chair did not allow one of the movers Akhtar Lango to speak on the admissibility. He staged a token walk out and on return to the House said he would move a privilege motion against Deputy speaker who did not allow him to speak. The Chair disposed off the motion on hearing from Chief Minister. The chair admitted adjournment motion jointly moved by Sardar Azam Musakhel, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Mohtarma Merman Spozmai for two hours debate on August 28. The motion pertained to the Quetta city which has been declared second most polluted City.It was once known as "Little London for its cleanliness". Dirty water was flowing on the roads and people were faced with great difficulties due to this trouble whereas millions of Rupees have been spent on drainage system. Leader of the House jam Muhammad Yusuf said that he supports the motion on behalf of treasury benches. He said Quetta is city of all of us. He said he has directed that Quetta should be given priority in every matter. Chair ruled that government did not oppose the motion. it is admitted for two hours discussion on Aug 28. The House would now be held on Monday next.

QUETTA 23 August: Jetties and Fish Harbours would be established on modern lines to provide all facilities to the fishermen of coastal areas. Said Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf while talking to a delegation that called on him here on Wednesday. He said that more Jetties and Fish Harbours are under consideration for which funds would be sought from federal government. Provincial government taking all possible steps to develop Fisheries sector on modern lines to get foreign investment. He said that completion of coastal highways will open an era of prosperity and will help in elimination of poverty, backwardness and unemployment from the province. President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf taking keen interest in the development of Balochistan and announced establishment of desalination plants at the Gwadar and Pasni. He said that ECNEC would be pursued to approve these projects to facilitate the local people. He said that drainage projects have been assigned to Gwadar Port Authority while funds have been released. CM was apprised about the problems of the area of coastal which Jam assured to solve on priorities.

Deficit budget for Balochistan

QUETTA, June 20: That the government of Balochistan is facing a severe financial crisis was evident from Finance Minister Syed Ehsan Shah’s budget speech in the provincial assembly on Tuesday.

Groaning under a heavy burden of Rs17 billion State Bank of Pakistan’s debt, the government presented its budget for 2006-07 with an overall deficit of Rs10.96 billion. This deficit, the minister said, “will be met from austerity measures, local resource generation and federal grants”.

The Balochistan government already carries a deficit of Rs8.47 billion from the 2005-06 budget and an unimplemented development budget of Rs9 billion. The indicated Rs10.82 billion development outlay for 2006-07 comprises the ongoing and unimplemented schemes of the outgoing fiscal year.

This, according to financial analysts, means there is no development investment in a province where population growth rate is 2.8 per cent, higher than the national average of 2.1 per cent.

The size of the budget is Rs59.69 billion but, as some of the analysts said, the figures in official documents did not match the outlay. The total expenditure is projected at Rs48.27 billion — Rs37.45 billion revenue expenditure and Rs10.82 billion development outlay. The provincial share in the development outlay is Rs7.05 billion, which is entirely unfunded.

Total receipts are Rs48.6 billion of which Rs36.29 billion are from the divisible pool, direct transfers of Balochistan’s share in oil and gas revenue and subvention and the provincial share. The government expects a flow of Rs12 billion from different sources.

The minister delivered his budget speech amid an uproar marked by shouts and desk-thumping by opposition members who protested against what they called an unjust NFC award and denial of Balochistan’s legitimate share in oil and gas revenue and raised slogans on political issues. “The big challenge for the government is to mobilise additional resources for a meaningful economic relief for the people,” Syed Ehsan Shah said.

In his review of 2005-06, he said receipts had increased from initial estimates of Rs29.17 billion to Rs32.20 billion owing to improvement in the federal government’s tax collection and also because of recovery of provincial revenue. The provincial expenditure during 2005-06 decreased to Rs30.3 billion from Rs34.6 billion.

The minister did not elaborate on Rs. 9 billion allocated for development in 2005-06 which remained unchanged.

He said the government was considering withdrawing exemption to self-occupied house on 5,000 square yards from the property tax.

The minister said that Rs. 477.45 million had been allocated for strengthening local governments against performance grants.

He said an amount of Rs. 600 million had been earmarked as performance grant to be given in sectors of water, education and health.

QUETTA, June 3: The Balochistan budget for financial year 2006-07 will be announced on June 20, Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf said on Saturday.

Finance Minister Syed Ehsan Shah will present the budget in the Balochistan Assembly.

GADANI, May 22: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that time had passed for elements trying to incite people with slogans of ‘sovereignty of Balochistan’ and ‘rights of Balochistan’. Inaugurating the Marble City established under the Lasbella Industrial Estate Development Authority, he said there was a difference between those raising provocative slogans of ‘our sovereign rights’ and those who supported the federation.

The president said that sloganmongers were rather blinded by immense natural resources of the province and they were daydreaming to ‘rule the land in royal capacity’. On the other hand, he stressed: “We are endeavouring for development and progress of the province.’

He warned those trying to impede the process of development in the province and said that terrorism in any form would be forcefully quelled.

He offered apologies for any injustices meted out to Balochistan in the past.

Gen Musharraf said that the people of Balochistan were true Pakistanis but certain elements were trying to befool them by raising empty slogans.

He expressed solidarity with Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf.

QUETTA, May 11: Six policemen of the Anti-Terrorist Force were killed and 13 others injured, six of them seriously, in five powerful explosions which rocked the firing range of the Police Training College near the eastern bypass area, here on Thursday.

“It is an act of terrorism and the perpetrators had used booby traps to trigger powerful blasts,” Inspector-General of Police Chaudhary Mohammad Yaqoob said. Two suspects had been taken into custody, he added.

A spokesman for a defunct terrorist organisation claimed the responsibility.

According to sources, the ATF personnel were attending in a refresher course for about a month.

The five blasts took place in quick succession soon after the ATF contingent had arrived at the firing range at around 8.15am.

“Some of the bodies were blown up and pieces of flesh and limbs were found scattered yards away,” an eyewitness said, adding that the air was thick with the smell of charred human flesh.

A heavy contingent of police cordoned off the area and the dead bodies and the injured policemen were taken to the Civil Hospital.

Many of the injured suffered eye injuries and were later shifted to Helper Eye Hospital. “Some of them may lose their eyesight,” a senior doctor feared.

At least six of the injured men are said to be in serious condition. “We are trying to remove splinters from their bodies,” doctors said.

The six policemen killed in the blasts were identified as Nasibullah, Bagn Khan, Ali Sher, Liaquat, Mazhar and Ghulam Hussain. Three of them belong to the Jaffarabad district and the others to Nasirabad, Chagai and Gwadar.

The IGP said: “Terrorists had planted landmines set to go off together,” he said. Similar landmines, he added, were being used by militants in Dera Bugti, Kohlu and other areas of the province.

He said police had already arrested a number of people, who were being interrogated.

“At the moment, I cannot confirm or rule out foreign involvement in this incident,” Chaudhary Yaqoob said, adding that police officers concerned were also being questioned about the serious security lapse.

A man, who identified himself as Mirak Baloch and claimed to be a spokesman of a recently banned organisation, said that his organisation was responsible for the Quetta incident.

He said his organisation had already warned police not to become a tool of secret agencies who, he alleged, were arresting the Baloch people and torturing them. He warned of more such attacks.

GWADAR, March 29: President General Pervez Musharraf said on Wednesday that Rs120 to Rs140 billion was being spent on various mega-projects in Balochistan, including Gwadar port, coastal highway and Mirani dam.

“This will usher in an era of prosperity in the province and people will reap its benefits,” he said while inaugurating the Gwadar Gas Pipeline Pilot Project completed by Sui Southern Gas Company at a cost of Rs100 million.

The president said it was his dream to make Gwadar port one of the most modern ports in the world. “We want to operate this port in the best possible manner. We will select best company in the world to operate this port on most modern lines. Nobody should have any doubt in his mind about this.”

He said the draught of Gwadar port would be raised to 15 metres “making Gwadar port one of the deepest draught ports in the world”.

President Musharraf said: “I am focussing on poverty alleviation and I want to eliminate poverty in the country by increasing employment opportunities. Similarly, I want to control price-hike which is hurting the poor.”

He said provision of electricity, gas and clean drinking water to every Pakistani was also being taken up on priority.

He said jobs would be provided to the people of Gwadar on priority.

“Trust me and remember that whatever I will do will be in your interest. You give me support, I assure you of a better future. Prosperity will come to this province as well as the country,” the president said amid applause.

He called upon people to elect development-friendly and good candidates in the 2007 elections.

He said Pakistan did not possess the expertise to manage the Gwadar port and therefore the government had to hire experts from outside to run it.

He pointed out that foreign investors were showing interest in Gwadar, hotels were coming up and development schemes were taking shape. All these opportunities would go away if this port was not run properly, he observed.

Gen Musharraf said Mirani dam would help rehabilitate 34,000 acres of land in Balochistan and the coastal highway and Ratodero Road would connect the city to the rest of the country and to Afghanistan, Central Asian states and China.

Sardars warned: He said the government was undertaking development projects while few anti-development sardars were firing rockets on him. “They do not want development of people in Balochistan. We will not allow these sardars to hinder development work in Balochistan.”

He pointed out that there were only two to three sardars who had kept the province hostage for the past 40 years, but “we would not let them do it again”.

He said these sardars had created their own army, killed their own people, fired rockets, blown up railway lines and opposed development.

“They blackmail people and hinder development activities in the province. They do not want Gwadar port.”

The president said that Akbar Bugti had killed his tribesmen and expelled his own brother. His Rahija sub-tribe had been forced to leave their area and settle in Punjab and Sindh.

He said this sardar got millions in the past from PPL, purchased weapons, created his own private militia and lived lavishly in Karachi. But from now onwards he would not be able to expel the poor tribesmen, the president said, adding that Kalpars, Missoris and Rahijas were coming back to their homes in Sui, Baiker and Dera Bugti and the government would help in their rehabilitation and compensate them.

Similarly, he said, a Marri sardar took over coalmines near Quetta by force and killed opponents. They will not be able to repeat these crimes, he added.

President Musharraf said that people of Balochistan needed development and progress in their province and held out the assurance that the government would ensure continuation of the development process.

“I know how to face such elements and how to stop them from hindering development process in the province. I will do it and accomplish the development task,” he declared.

The governor and chief minister of Balochistan and ministers attended the ceremony.—

Arms seized in Sui
QUETTA March 28: Frontier corps seized large quantity of arms and ammunition in a successful raid near Sui. According to details, FC conducted a raid on a house in Kandoi area of Sui. The raiding party recovered RPG-7 (1), missiles 107 mm (11), multi barrel gun (1), shot gun (1) and thousands of rounds of various calibre. Besides two pickups and one motor cycle was also impounded. No arrested was reported.
 

QUETTA, March 27: The Balochistan assembly on Monday admitted for debate a joint adjournment motion on the military operation in Dera Bugti and Kohlu. Deputy Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, who presided over the session, said the debates would be held on Thursday.

Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Abdur Rehman Jamali supported the motion and said that the government too was concerned over the situation..

The house also adopted a joint resolution moved by the treasury and opposition members condemning the publication of blasphemous cartoons in some European newspapers and said it was a conspiracy to hit Islam against Christianity.

The resolution tabled by Farah Azeem Shah of the BNP-Awami urged the federal government to sever diplomatic ties with the European states where the cartoons had been published and impose ban on import of products from these countries.

The treasury and opposition members suggested an amendment to the resolution to the effect that the federal government should press upon the Organization of Islamic Countries to move the Untied Nation Security Council to ban drawing and publication of cartoons of any prophet.

During the question hour, Minister for Public Health Egineering Maulana Abdul Bari informed the house that certain development projects of the department could not be implemented for want of funds.

 The house offered fateha for Khan Abdul Wali Khan, victims of Spin Boldak, Dera Bbugti and Kohlu operations and mother of Speaker Jamal Shah Kakar.

QUETTA, March 26: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says the government has approved 30,000 new posts in various departments, including police and Frontier Corps, in Balochistan. He said at a press conference here on Sunday that the appointments would be made over the next two years.

 “We will also try to provide jobs to Balochistan’s youth in various departments of the federal government in addition to their quota,” he said.

 The prime minister, however, said the government alone could not provide jobs to people and “we will have to encourage the private sector”.

 Balochistan had great potential in mining, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, minerals, livestock and other sectors, where huge investments could be made by the private sector, he said.

 He urged the people of Balochistan to keep their minds open and be optimistic about foreign investment in the province, and said that the investors would not take their resources away. “The investment will have positive impact on their life as they will get jobs and their areas will make progress,” he said.

 He stressed the need for improvement in the law and order situation, saying that investors would invest in the province only when the environment was conducive.

 Speaking at a briefing on development schemes in the province, the prime minister said the government was keen to see that the mega projects were completed at an accelerated pace and it would ensure that they were not delayed because of shortage of funds.

He said the government would ensure optimum utilization of resources provided to the province for the schemes.

He said the government would ensure balance between large and small development projects so that people could get better civic amenities, health and education facilities.

He said Rs2.9 billion distributed among district nazims of the province would be spent on water supply, drainage, dispensaries and school projects and the federal government would monitor utilization of the funds.

He said any hurdle in the implementation of large projects would be removed.

He said Balochistan would get an additional Rs6 billion under the NFC award for its development projects. The province had also been provided a debt relief of Rs2.5 billion and a grant of Rs800 million, he said.

The prime minister also gave a cheque for Rs1 million to the Balochi Academy for compilation of a standard Balochi dictionary.—APP

Amanullah Kasi adds: Addressing the press conference and a meeting of the provincial cabinet, the prime minister said the government believed in resolving issues through negotiations but no compromise would be made on its writ, as a peaceful environment was of utmost importance for investment.

He said the federal government would not allow a state within the state. He said subversive acts were neither in the interest of Balochistan nor of the Baloch people.

Mr Aziz said that the federal and provincial government, and law-enforcement agencies, were doing their job but people should also play their role as there would be no progress without a peaceful atmosphere.

The prime minister accused saboteurs of destroying the peace of Balochistan and said that the elements were enemies of the state and also of the patriotic forces and peaceful citizens of the province.

He said the government would continue to work for progress of the province without compromising on principles and religious traditions.

He said he would like to know who was providing rockets and bombs to the killers of innocent people.

Referring to some recent incidents, the prime minister said some elements were trying to pit people, who have been living in the province for centuries, against each other, but he hoped that the conspiracy would be foiled.

He urged provincial ministers to condemn the saboteurs so that people should know that their representatives were openly raising voice against oppression and excesses.

Expressing concern over the killing of 16 Pakistanis by Afghan security forces, Prime Minister Aziz said the government had lodged a strong protest with Afghanistan over the incident. He said general elections would be held in 2007.

QUETTA, March 25: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday announced a special package of 56 per cent of total funds of the Khushhal Pakistan Programme for Balochistan to be utilised by the district governments for development projects.

Speaking to the district nazims at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, he said the government had decided to allocate Rs2.8 billion out of total Rs5 billion allocated for the Khushhal Pakistan Programme for the country.

Mr Aziz said that every district of Balochistan would get Rs100 million from Rs2.8 billion, except Quetta that would receive Rs200 million and Kohlu which had been excluded as President Musharraf had already announced Rs1.5 billion package for it.

He said that district nazims would identify development projects and none of them could utilise the funds for purchasing vehicles, lands, etc.

The premier said monitoring teams would be set up to ensure proper utilisation of funds for the benefit of common man.

Mr Aziz said that the federal government was giving special attention to Balochistan to overcome its backwardness and President Musharraf was keen to provide funds for development projects for the province.

He said that during last six years, huge funds amounting to Rs140 billion had been allocated to accelerate development activities in the province and it would bring progress and prosperity to the people.

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QUETTA, March 23: A man was killed and nine people, including two children, were injured in a bomb blast in Kohlu town on Thursday. According to official sources, a powerful explosion shook a private public call office in the bazaar of Kohlu.

“Unknown people had planted a bomb inside the PCO that exploded when many people were making telephone calls,” a senior official of the Kohlu administration said.

As a result, the PCO was destroyed and 10 people were injured, he said. Those injured were taken to the district hospital where PCO owner Bahadur Khan died, the official said.

“It was a local made bomb,” police said and added that windowpanes of many other shops were smashed in the explosion.

After the blast, unknown men fired three rockets at Frontier Constabulary checkposts from the mountains but they missed the targets and exploded near the grid station. No casualty or loss was reported.

Security forces launched another operation against armed tribesmen attacking government installations and security forces in different areas of Kohlu district, according to reports.

In the Sui area, unknown assailants fired rockets at a gas pipeline, disrupting the supply from a well to a gas purification plant, sources said.

Unknown men attacked the vehicle of the Tehsildar of Suni area of Bolan district on Tuesday bight. He remained unhurt but his vehicle was damaged.

QUETTA, March 23: Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani said on Thursday that the government had not closed the door for negotiations but would not hold talks with the elements creating law and order problem until they surrendered their weapons. He was talking to newsmen at Governor’s House after an investiture ceremony, held here on Thursday in connection with Pakistan Day.

“The government took initiatives for the last two and half years for talks with Nawab Bugti and other leaders but they responded negatively,” he said and added that he himself visited Dera Bugti and held talks with Nawab Bugti for resolving issues through negotiations.

He said that in response to the government’s overtures they had started rocket attacks and bomb blasts and had been attacking key installations and even firing rockets when the president went to Kohlu to announced a development package.

Responding a question, the governor said, “Violence cannot produce positive results. Instead, such tactics had damaged the interest of the province in the past and would not benefit anybody in the future as well,” he said.

He said that if some one wants dialogue, he should show seriousness.

He said earlier government ignored all hostilities and tried to negotiate but there was lack of sincerity.

Replying to a question, the governor said that forces would not return from Dera Bugti and other areas of the province and government would not withdraw cases registered against them as demanded by some political parties for initiating talks.

He said that he wanted to ask these elements what they had gained through mortar fire, bomb explosions and other activities since the last two and half years. He said that poor people of the province were suffering difficulties due to these activities.

Responding yet another question, about the visit of the prime minister, he said that he would soon visit Quetta during which he would announce development package for the province.

QUETTA, March 21: The gas supply to Punjab and the NWFP was suspended from the Sui gas plant after a gas pipeline was blown up in Doli, some 20km from the Sui township, in the early hours of Tuesday. “It was a 30-inch-diameter pipeline through which gas was supplied to Punjab and the NWFP,” official sources told Dawn and added that unknown armed men planted an explosive device under the pipeline which blew around 2am.

Sources said the gas supply was immediately stopped from the Sui plant as the pipeline caught fire after the powerful explosion.

However, officials of the Sui Northern Gas Company claimed that the gas supply would not be affected to both the provinces as a huge quantity of gas was present in the pipeline.

“The gas supply will not be affected till repairing of the pipeline,” SNGC sources said, and added that after the fire had been controlled a crew of engineers and other staff concerned arrived there and started repairing the pipeline.

The sources said that the repairing and restoration of the gas supply would take more than 24 hours, and added that the SNGC had also made alternative arrangements for supplying gas.

However, shortage of gas was reported from many areas of Sariab on Tuesday afternoon even after repairing of a pipeline which had been blown up by miscreants on a section of the Quetta-Mastung Road on Monday.

Our Staff Reporter from Lahore adds: The Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) stopped supply to the power and cement sectors after one of its pipelines was blown up near the Sui Gas Field on Tuesday.

SNGPL officials said that the blast ruptured the line at 1am. A 24-inch and a 30-inch pipeline run parallel at a distance of 15 feet from each other from the Sui field.

They said that the repair work was going on and hopefully its supply would be restored by Wednesday morning.

QUETTA, March 20: Gas supply to several localities in Sariab area was disrupted after a gas pipeline was blown up on the Quetta-Mastung road late on Monday night. Police said the explosive was planted under the pipeline near Sheikh Zayed Hospital, some 20km from here.

“One and a half feet long piece of a 4-inch diameter pipeline exploded rocking the whole area,” an official of the Sui Southern Gas Company said, adding that gas supply had been discontinued to some localities of Sariab.

Soon after the blast, SSGC staff and started repairing the damaged pipeline. Gas supply is likely to be restored on Tuesday morning, sources said.

Meanwhile, nine rockets were fired on checkposts of Frontier Corps in Pir Koh area. However, no casualty was reported.

QUETTA  10 March :: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf has condemned the landmine blast and said by killing innocent people right cannot be achieved. He was addressing a hurriedly called press conference at airport before departure to Karachi here on Friday.
He said those responsible for the Rakhni blast will not be spared.
He strongly condemned the landmine blast near Rakhni Friday morning claiming 30 innocent and precious lives and injuries to seven others. These people were traveling from Bekar (Dera Bugti) to Rakhni in a tractor trolley that hit a landmine near Rakhni.
He said targeting women and children is strictly against tribal codes and all ethics and principles. He said the government would take stern action against those responsible for the incident.
He said on one side the perpetrators claim themselves to be the champions of peoples' rights while on the other they are killing their own people. He also called upon the champions of the human rights to take notice of such incidents where common man is constantly being targeted.
The Chief Minister said that such acts of terrorism violate principles of democracy and human traditions. He said those killed in terrorist activities were common people who had nothing to do with politics.
Such incidents deserve wide condemnation from all and sundry. He said the government would consider compensation for the victims.
Answering a question he said being vast area, maintaining all time vigil on the tracks is not possible. However the people of the area should also take care while traveling.
They should keep themselves on the track and avoid going off track besides he said he had directed Public Safety Commission to procure necessary equipment for district governments to check and defuse landmines.
Answering another question he said Pakistan is an independent country and question does not rise interference from UNO. He said our country is quite eligible to solve al its internal issues and problems.
He said today incident is continuity of precious terrorism bids that are being carried out against innocent people of Balochistan.
He said both federal and provincial government have taken serious notice of killing of innocent people.
Jam said those people are involved in today incident that are active for the last any months and attacking bridges, railway installations, power supply towers and even innocent people who have no concern with politics but are leading a very peaceful life.

QUETTA March 7:: Completion of Gwadar Port would open a new era of development in Balochistan. This Port was being connected with others parts of the country by road and rail
These views were expressed by Chief Secretary K B Rind while speaking to participants of National Defence  Study Course here Tuesday.
He said that with completion of ongoing development projects in the province, prosperity would prevail in the province and backwardness would end.
He said work on development projects was continuing apace with the cooperation of provincial and federal government and donor agencies. In this way people in far flung areas would get facilities .
He said provincial government was taking practical measures for the promotion of Primary to higher education and raising its standard. Besides vocational centers, cadet colleges and institutions of technical education for women were being setup in the province.
He said a separate university for women has also been setup in the province where they have been provided opportunities for higher education.
He said provincial government was also implementing several projects for the development of health sector. These included new hospital, up-gradation of BHUs, and provision of facilities of standard treatment.
Government was also taking practical steps for women health and total elimination of polio.
Additional Chief Secretary Development told the participants that federal government was spending Rupees 124 billion on various development projects in the province.
Provincial Police Officers told participants about overall law and order situation in the province.
He said conversion of B Areas into A areas was continuing gradually. Besides 10 thousand locals would be recruited in BRP.

QUETTA  March 6:: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf has said that the government was ready to hold talks for resolving the issues of the province if the other side wanted to do so.

Taking to newsmen on the eve of Senate elections here on Monday, he said that the government wanted to resolve all issues through negotiations and mutual understanding.

“The government never refused to hold talks and if they wanted talks; people of their parties should come forward,” he said, adding that the situation could be improved if both sides came forward in a positive spirit.

The chief minister said that the Khan of Kalat should come forward and convene a jirga of tribal chiefs of Sarawan and Jhalawan and try to resolve the issue. He said he would join the jirga if they invited him. However, he said that despite having the tribal status, he was not in a position to convene a tribal jirga.

Replying to a question, Jam Yousuf said the situation in Balochistan would be normalized soon. He said if the government did not take action against elements involved in rocket attacks, bomb explosions, attacks on trains, gas pipelines and other subversion activities how could law and order be restored in the province.

“The government would definitely take action against miscreants, otherwise situation would further deteriorate in the province.” He said targeting innocent children was not democracy. “In democracy such incidents never happen,” he said.

Replying to another question, Jam Yousuf who is also provincial president of the PML said that disciplinary action would be taken against members who had violated party discipline in Senate elections.

He rejected opposition’s allegation about kidnapping of legislator Mir Saleem Khosa and said that it was a baseless allegation.

QUETTA March 6 :: The miscreants blew up a gas pipeline in Kali Shadinzai, here on Monday .
According to police the miscreants had planted explosive material near the pipeline that went-off blowing away approximately a three feet piece of the pipeline. Police and bomb disposal squad immediately reached the scene and started investigations. Meanwhile Sui Gas official said that the supply of gas to Kali Shadinzai, Akhtarabad and surrounding areas was shut down as a result of the blast. The repair work was underway, added the official.

QUETTA Feb 27:: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf has condemned attack on the residence of Minister for Livestock Mir Qudus Bizenjo.
He said such subversive activities can never succeed in creating hurdles in the on going development process. He said no one would be allowed to work against the interests of the province and the people of Balochistan.
Jam said present government is working for the people of Balochistan and well-being of the province and no one would be allowed to hamper ongoing development process in the province.
Chief Minister said that anti development elements' thinking that their acts would create hurdle in the development process, it is their mere thinking. Government is determined to complete these projects and it enjoys complete support of the people.
He said Government would deal with those behind terrorist activities with iron hand and government's writ would be maintained at all costs.
He directed that all resources should be mobilized for apprehending all such elements and still strict measures should be adopted for the security of life and property of the people.
Provincial Ministers Asim Kurd Gallo, Maulana Dur Muhammad Pirkani, Maulana Faiz Muhammad and provincial Police Officer Choudhry Muhammad Yaqoob were also present during the visit of chief minister.

QUETTA  21 January 2005:: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf has said that government is ready to solve al the problems through dialogue, he was talking to the media men at Marwar near Mach here on Thursday.
He said conditions of Kohlu and Dera Bugti are different. He said some people in Kohlu are against the existence of Pakistan therefore we are not ready to talk to them.
He said that a dialogue can be held with Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, but under no circumstances with Nawab Mari, since he has openly denounced the Federation. In the light of this attitude the events at Kohlu and Bugti should be viewed in separate scenarios.
He said dialogue with Nawab Akbar Bugti could be carried out to solve the issues and problems. Jam said some people in Kohlu are against the development and even they are threatening the writ of the law and the government. He said these people are also creating hurdles in the way of law to be implemented to safeguard the lives of the masses and to carry out development process.
Jam said some miscreants and anti-development people have forced the government to move and take action against them to and to have writ of the law and the government in Kohlu and its ambient areas.
He also refuted about any Army Operation in Balochistan, only security forces carried out some operations in areas like Margat, where coalmines were under constant pressure by these blackmailers.
He did not rule out a conducive dialogue with the warring elements, only if they agreed to talk. But any body that tries to challenge the writ of the government would be dealt with severely.
He said that he would confer with President Musharraf about NFC Award, since the Province cannot progress without financial aid.
He said that the demand of various political parties, regarding handing over the Gwadar Port Project to the Provincial Government is unconstitutional, because no port of Pakistan is under the control of Provincial Government.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: President Pervez Musharraf announced on Tuesday a new resource distribution formula, which offers increased revenue to the provinces.

In an address to the nation over radio and television, he said that since no consensus could be developed on a new National Finance Commission (NFC) award, he had decided to amend Article 160 of the Constitution to make the existing divisible pool more attractive for the federating units.

The president said he believed in inter-provincial harmony and for that reason he had decided to offer more money to the provinces through a new resource distribution formula.

He said that the provinces, which were currently receiving 42.7 per cent of resources under the existing NFC award, would now be offered 45.33 per cent resources.

He said that the four chief ministers had authorized him to work out a new formula, but at the last moment the NWFP chief minister came up with some conditions because of which the new NFC award could not be finalized.

However, he said, the provinces would now be offered an increased amount of subvention from the federal divisible pool.

These subventions were currently being offered only to the NWFP and Balochistan, which would now be extended to Sindh and Punjab as well.

He said the vertical distribution of resources was from federation to the provinces, while the horizontal distribution was the issue that rested with the provinces. The president said it had been decided to offer 50 per cent resources to the provinces in five-year period. Every year there will be an increase of one per cent to offer strategic gains to the provinces.

“We have decided to offer a total of Rs27.75 billion as part of the subventions to the provinces,” the president said.

The NWFP and Balochistan were earlier getting Rs8.7 billion as part of the subventions.

According to the new formula, Balochistan, which was previously receiving Rs4.8 billion a year, will now get Rs9.16 billion, while the NWFP, which was getting Rs3.9 billion, will now receive Rs9.71 billion. Punjab and Sindh, which were never offered any subvention, will now get Rs3.65 billion and Rs5.3 billion respectively.

“The provinces will receive additional Rs51 billion on account of subvention and increased divisible pool,” the president said.

The president made it clear that the new increased funding would be offered to the provinces on the basis of population and would be implemented from the next financial year.

About the situation in Balochistan, he denied that the army was conducting any operation in the province as was being alleged by some sardars whom he termed enemies of the Baloch people and the development of the country.

Frontier Corps troops, he said, were taking action against elements who were running farari (fugitive) camps in Balochistan. He said that 1,500-2,000 militiamen were being supported by a few sardars to carry out terrorist activities in the province.

However, he said his government would not tolerate lawlessness in Balochistan. He regretted that previous governments did not take action against the sardars who were supporting fugitives.

The president regretted assertions that the Baloch nation was facing any problem and said that some vested interests were working against the very existence of the country. “These few sardars are trying to impose their will on the people. They are obstructing development activities and are encouraging attacks on national installations in the province.”

He said he had gone to Kohlu to announce a development package for the area but rockets were fired on him, and the I.G. of the frontier crops was attacked and injured. “These few sardars are involved in attacks at various buildings in Karachi and Lahore as well,” he said.

“The army is only in Quetta and the Frontier Corps has been given the task to ensure law and order in the province.”

The president said that militiamen were being financially supported by foreign elements and the government had evidence to prove it. “We know that foreign hand is involved in Balochistan and is creating problems there,” the president said.

Bhasha first, other dams later: Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday announced that the construction of Bhasha dam would start next month to be followed by four others, including the Kalabagh dam, by 2016.

“This is time for decision. This is time for action. We cannot delay any more to build big water reservoirs,” he said in an address to the nation over radio and television.

Gen Musharraf said being the president of the country and representing the entire nation he would avoid taking decisions without consensus.

It is against this backdrop, he declared, that Munda, Kalabagh, Akori and Kurrum Tangi dams would be built after the Bhasha dam with a view to removing the growing shortage of water and power in the country.

He advocated immediate construction of Kalabagh dam as its feasibility study and structural design were ready, but assured that “since there are doubts and apprehensions about Kalabagh in Sindh and to some extent in NWFP, it is not immediately being undertaken”.

Yet, the president said, he would continue trying to convince the people of Sindh and NWFP about the need for the Kalabagh dam and asked them “not to play in the hands of vested interest”.

“Kalabagh is extremely necessary for farmers and the people of Sindh and if they continue to oppose it, eventually their lands will go dry creating a huge problem for the country,” he stressed.

He said the government cannot keep quiet over the wastage of 35-40 per cent of water every year and added that there would be fair distribution of water among provinces.

“The construction of new dams is the most important issue today to sustain roughly 7 per cent GDP growth annually,” he said, adding that there was an urgent need of area intensification to improve the agricultural output, especially in Sindh.

The president was of the view that if there was no proper management of the available water during Kharif and Rabi crops, things would worsen. New dams, he said, were necessary for both agriculture and obtaining the required electricity.

“Once the country got increased hydropower, it will help people purchase electricity on nominal charges compared to expensive thermal power.”

He quoted a World Bank report which says Pakistan’s water resources are rapidly running dry and the country needs large dams, particularly the Kalabagh dam. According to the report, every new dam will substantially add to the country’s GDP and that Pakistan must look into the issue seriously.

“But unfortunately the most vehement opposition to Kalabagh comes from Sindh which is on the low riparian,” he pointed out.

Pakistan, he said, needed to effectively utilize the water of Jhelum, Chenab and Indus rivers and added that over 33 million acres of land was cultivable which required huge amount of water that would only come through major dams.

He cited examples of China, India, Iran and Turkey where a number of new dams were being built. He warned that the existing water shortage of 9 million acre feet (MAF) would reach 25MAF if new dams were not undertaken.

“The projected shortage of water in 2020 will be 20MAF and that is why we need to have minimum two big dams by 2030,” he emphasized.

“It is the question of life and death, especially for Sindh. Therefore, I appeal to you not to listen to those who are against the building of big dams,” he asked the people of Sindh.

All the three committees working on the issue –- parliamentary committee headed by Nisar Memon, technical committee led by A.N.G Abbasi and the foreign consultant group — have concluded that the construction of Kalabagh, Bhasha and other big dams is highly important for the country. These committees also called for adequately implementing the 1991 Water Accord.

The president rejected notions that Sindh would go dry and damage would be caused to the districts of Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, etc., if the Kalabagh dam was built.

He said the people of Badin and Thatta were weeping because of the acute water shortage. “And those who oppose Kalabagh are distorting facts; they are not the friends of Sindhis,” he said and added that the required amount of water would go downstream Kotri and that about 10,000mw of additional electricity would be available after the construction of the dam.

Currently, the president said, 83 per cent and 17 per cent water was available for Kharif and Rabi crops, respectively. After the construction of Kalabagh, the two crops would get 60 per cent and 40 per cent water, respectively.

He said sea intrusion would stop and tail-end growers would get increased quantity of water in Sindh after the Kalabagh dam and this would also help release additional water to the Chutiari dam.

Gen Musharraf said that no big dam could be built on Jhelum river as it already had Mangla dam on it. Chenab was not fit for any dam owing to less water availability, he said, adding that the only option left was to construct a dam on Indus and this requirement could be fulfilled by Kalabagh dam.

Bhasha dam, he said, would get water from glaciers at Chilas. Katzara dam at Skardu would also receive water from glaciers, while Kalabagh dam would get water by monsoon rains and that too in big quantity.

“Therefore, this is the most suitable dam and I would certainly succeed in convincing my Sindhi brothers on it,” he asserted.

“I will not allow Sindhis to face destruction by not having a dam like the Kalabagh. I am a Sindhi myself and I would never go against my province.”

“Had Punjab been against Sindh, it would not have given additional 6,000 cusecs of water to Sindh,” President Musharraf said.

He said the height of the Kalabagh dam would be 915 feet while Nowshera and Swabi were situated at a height of 940 feet. As such fears of having water-logging and inundation in those areas had no foundation, he added.

CABINET: Earlier, the cabinet decided that work on Bhasha and Munda dams would be started next month. It resolved that reservations on Kalabagh dam would continue to be addressed until a ‘viable decision’ was reached on it.

“Work on Bhasha and Munda dams will start in the first or second week of February,” said Information Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed while briefing reporters about the meeting which was held with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the chair. Presiding over the meeting, the prime minister said that the need for water reservoirs was paramount for the country’s economy and agriculture.

Every province, he claimed, would get its due share of water.

QUETTA January 2 :: Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf inaugurated the Well Field at Karkhasa valley here on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion Jam said this mega project has been started with the keen interest of the President Pervez Musharraf to supply clean water to the citizen of the Quetta valley. He said the projects will cost more then Rs 7 billion and it will help in supply of 1.1 million of gallons of water on daily basis.
Jam said we are thankful to the President Musharraf who provided timely assistance otherwise water situation in Quetta was became very alarming. He said president realized the situation and provided funds for provision of water to Quetta people.
He said with the completion of other mega projects a wave of prosperity will usher in in the Balochistan and will help in elimination of poverty, backwardness and unemployment. He said work on the development projects in Kohlu district is being started for which President Musharraf announced funds of Rs 1.5 billion during his Kohlu tour. He said through development schemes life standard of Kohlu people would be upgraded and all type of civic amenities would be available for the people.
He said objectives of development era are to use all the available resources in Balochistan for the benefit of the local people. He said every one in Balochistan knows that development schemes will bring enormous changes in the lives of local people and their future will become bright and safe. He said those who are opposing the development in Balochistan must realize the situation and should shake render cooperation to the government to carry on this process which is only way to bring province at par against other developed provinces.
He said we all have seen in the last 50 years that unnecessary opposition has caused losses to the province while now we can not afford such thinking but wants to keep development intact that is only way to meet the challenges of the coming modern era.
Jam said work on the water projects must be speedup to complete it in time and to provide clean water to the citizen of the Quetta valley. He asked the officials to built coordination among the Project Management Unit, Consultants and Contractors to get complete the project in time.
Jam also asked the officials to look after the construction of two dams and improve the system of supply of water and recycling of used water to make possible to supply clean water according to the demand of the people.