QUETTA: Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehrisaid on Saturday evening that his government was vigorously fighting terrorism and would never bow down before the enemies of peace as it wanted to turn Balochistan into a peaceful and prosperous province.

Winding up debate on the budget in the Balochistan Assembly, he described restoration of peace and maintenance of law and order as top priority of his government.

He was happy to note that security situation had noticeably improved throughout the province. `We have succeeded in restoring peace in 95 per cent areas of Balochistan with the help of security forces.

Nawab Zehri said an atmosphere of fear prevailed in Balochistan when he assumed power but the government had gradually brought the situation under control and restored the conhdence of people in the administration.

`Targeted killing has been eliminated, he told the house with confidence. `Some sporadic incidents have been reported from some areas but they have not created any impact on the overall law and order situation,` he added.

Referring to the budget, Mr Zehri said his government had presented a balanced budget which it had prepared while remaining within its limited resources.

He said the budget ensured fair distribution of resources among different regions and areas of the province and there was no discrimination in funds` allocation.

Referring to rural development, the chief minister said Rs1 billion had been allocated to each divisional headquarters and Rs200 million to each district headquarters for development projects and improving basic public services.

He expressed concern over an increase in the cost of administration and listed some of major expenses incurred by the non-development sector.

He expressed dismay over performance of the National Engineering Services Pakistan and said it was a hub of corruption and incompetency, which had been destroy-ing Balochistan over the past several decades.

He said a feasibility study of the Quetta water supply project had been completed and international firms would be invited to offer bids for the project.

He announced that more facilities would be provided in government hospitals during the next financial year.

He also talked about measures taken by his government to ensure good governance and vowed to eliminate corruption.

He said resources being provided to Balochistan by the centre were not enough to develop the province. `We have increased our own resources instead of depending on Islamabad.

Earlier, former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party`s parliamentary leader Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal said Pakistan should revisit its foreign policy and improve its relations with its neighbouring countries, including India, Afghanistan and Iran.

They said public representatives should be given representation in policy making institutions.

Majeed Khan Achakzai, the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said a delay in census was behind lack of proper planning for improving social indicators.

`Without census, there cannot be proper planning for education and other social sectors,` he said.

He held Punjab responsible for a delay of two decades in holding census and said only an authentic and transparent census could ensure equality among the provinces.

After the 18th Amendment, Mr Achakzai said, the provinces were entitled to 50 per cent share in their natural resources but Balochistan was yet to be awarded its due share.

`It is ironic that people of Balochistan are suffering from extreme poverty and unemployment though their province has limitless resources,` he said.

Health Minister Rehmat Baloch and lawmakers Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Mohammad Hasni, Kishwar Jattak and Yasmin Lehri also spoke on the budget and praised allocations for the district and divisional headquarters.