QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Sunday inaugurated the four-day history Sibi Mela during an impressive and colourful ceremony in Sibi.

Thousands of people from across Balochistan and other parts of the country have reached Sibi to participate in the cultural and traditional festival.

Horse and cattle shows and other activities are parts of the festival.

Companies and individuals associated with agriculture, industry and livestock businesses and the Public Health Engineering and other government departments have set up their stalls at the festival.

CM Alyani also inaugurated an exhibition of agriculture and industrial products.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Alyani said that the Sibi festival had been an important event for many decades, adding that the festival was a source of close coordination among people, especially those involved in agriculture and livestock business, and the government.

He said the historic Sibi festival had the honour of having father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah as its chief guest.

The chief minister said the agriculture and livestock sectors played an important role for the economy of Balochistan, adding that in this historic festival these two sectors always had a special representation. He said a large number of people who are associated with agriculture and livestock sectors from across the country took part in this festival every year. They shared ideas and learned from each other experiences, he added.

The chief minister said that bringing improvement in agriculture and livestock sectors was one of the priorities of the provincial government as it was committed to solving problems of people associated with these sectors and protecting their rights.

He said the economic development of any region was linked with its security situation. Therefore, he added, the provincial government was paying special attention to law and order in the province. He said the security forces of the country had made great sacrifices in efforts for establishing peace in the province. Both the government and the security forces were committed to restoring complete peace in the province, he added.

The chief minister said since coming into power the provincial had taken many initiatives for bringing improvement in the province’s health and education sector. He said the government would use resources of Balochistan for benefits of its people.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2019