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CE opens Sibi Mela Supremacy of law to be maintained at all costs

LAILA A ALI

SIBI: Opening the week-long historic rural and tribal festival here on Wednesday, the Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, emphatically declared that the supremacy of law would be maintained at all costs, and criminals would be dealt with an iron hand for the preservation of peace and promotion of law and order in the supreme interest of harmony of the people.

He told the distinguished gathering that Balochistan was rich in mineral, oil and gas resources which should be exploited to the maximum. He said foreign companies would soon be invited to explore and exploit metallic and non-metallic minerals in Balochistan.

He said that oil and gas exploration near Gwadar along Balochistan coast was going on well by a foreign firm. There are bright chances, he added, for the discovery of oil within the next two to three weeks. Discovery of this offshore oil would usher in an era of progress and prosperity of Pakistan with focus on Balochistan, he added.

Referring to general development in Balochistan, the Chief Executive said Bolan Medical College (BMC) complex, Quetta, in doldrum for more than two decades, would be completed this year. The federal government would provide Rs 100 million for its completion on schedule. He added that Japan has provided most modern medical equipment, apparatus and gadgets for the teaching hospital of BMC.

About the uplift of womenfolk, he announced that girls and women teachers' hostels would be set up at all divisional headquarters of Balochistan to attract more and more women for acquiring sound knowledge of science, technology and arts and also for adopting teaching as their profession.

WOMEN BANK BRANCHES

He also announced that the Women Bank would open its branches at Sibi and Zhob.

He also announced donations, of Rs 1.2 million and Rs .5 million respectively for municipal committees at Sibi and Zhob, and Rs .2 million for students of high school Sibi for presenting magnificent flower show on the occasion of Sibi Mela declared open by him on Wednesday.

The opening ceremony was attended by provincial governor, federal ministers present in the province, provincial ministers, senior civil and military officers. The ceremony was would up with the award of prizes to the winners of various events and to the breeders of champion animals, displayed at the famous Horse and Cattle Show Cavalcade at the inaugural ceremony.

Before flying back to Islamabad, the Chief Executive also declared open Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition and attended a luncheon hosted by Balochistan Governor at Sibi at the end of his two-day hectic tour of Balochistan which took him to Quetta, Zhob and Sibi.