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Govt focusing attention on B'stan to tap its resources

ISLAMABAD: The government has focused attention on Balochistan to tap its large resources for economic uplift of the country and the province.

According to official sources Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf has given direction to build a network of roads linking coastal areas of Balochistan to the interior of the country. Construction of a new canals, setting up of cold storage to preserve fruits and development of agricultural sector are part of the plan.

Plans are being made to construct check dams to preserve water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Possibilities are being explored to use solar energy in far-flung areas of the province.

Balochistan, which has as much cultivable land as that of Punjab and Sindh together can produce food not only to cater for the country but also the Middle East provided water is supplied to the dry lands.

The neglected province will get its due attention, sources said.

A road connecting Zhob with Dera Ismail Khan will help to supply fresh fruit to the markets of Punjab and NWFP within a day to fetch good price for growers of Balochistan.

Unexplored minerals in the province worth billions of dollars is another sector to be given attention to meet the needs of domestic industry and exports. APP