QUETTA, Nov 8: Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif has urged dissident Baloch nationalists to lay down their arms and join mainstream politics for bringing in prosperity and removing poverty and backwardness from Balochistan.

Talking to officials and media during a visit to Awaran on Friday, he said the government wanted to address the sense of deprivation of the Baloch who were as patriotic as other Pakistanis.

The government, he added, did not believe in revenge and invitation to dissidents to join mainstream politics and be part of the government was a proof of it. The government wanted to resolve their problems and improve the standard of living of Baloch brethren by starting development work in the region, the prime minister added.

`We have no enmity or intention of revenge against dissident Baloch nationalists.

I appeal to all those who were mislead and forgot the right way to struggle, to adopt a correct path for their rights. They should lay down their arms and join national mainstream,` he said.

He expressed grief over the loss of life and property in Awaran caused by the earthquake. After receiving briefing, Nawaz Sharif said the government would utilise all resources to rehabilitate the affected people and reconstruct Awaran as a model district.

`We will avail advanced technology and financial resources for reconstruction and rehabili-tation in the area,` he said.

The prime minister said that the government would provide funds for installation of solar energy generation systems in different areas of the district to provide round-the-clock power to locals. `Solar energy plants will be installed in quake-hit areas of Mashkay, Nok Jo, Awaran and other places to provide electricity to domestic consumers and farmers, he said, adding that funds would also be released for execution of communication structure, including roads.

The government will also provide financial support for reconstruction of houses collapsed or damaged by the quake and aftershocks.

Nawaz Sharif also announced compensation of Rs500,000 to heirs of every deceased and Rs150,000 to those injured in the earthquake.

He further offered the quake-hit families either to let the government reconstruct their houses or avail financial assistance for the purpose.

He instructed Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch to remain in touch with the Commander of Southern Command in connection with the rehabilitation and reconstruction work.

`The government will carry out rehabilitation and reconstruction work with its own resources in affected areas,` he said, adding there was no need for foreign aid.

He asked the minister of state for petroleum to take immediate measures for the provision of natural gas to Awaran district.