COAS visits Zhob,Balochistan

Rawalpindi: Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Zhob, Balochistan and inaugurated the Kassa Hills Marble Project on Monday.

Chief Minister Balochistan, notables and large number of locals also attended the ceremony. Kassa Hills Marble ProjectI has been initiated by Pakistan Army with the cooperation of Provincial Government and locals of the area for social and economic development of Balochistan. Chief of Army Staff in his address highlighted ArmyIs contributions in social progress of Balochistan. He specially mentioned Chamalang Education Programme, Sui Education City, Balochistan and Gwadar Institutes of Technical Education as well as ArmyIs drive enhanced recruitment from the province of Balochistan. Deliberate measures have been instituted to sustain these initiatives which are contributing positively towards better education and creation of job opportunities for common people of the Province.

He thanked the locals and the Provincial Government for their whole hearted support. Chief Minister Balochistan appreciated Pakistan ArmyIs efforts for stability and development of the province. It is worth mentioning here that Kassa Hills Marble ProjectI was discovered in early Nineties, excavation of marble reserves in Kassa Hills remained stalled due to intra tribal dispute. Army was requested for mediation by Government of Balochistan. After necessary negotiation, the conflict was resolved and Kassa Agreement was signed in July 2010. The Project is managed by a committee with representation of tribal elders, Government of Balochistan and Pakistan Army. Agreement guarantees fair distribution of income amongst the members of Alizai Tribe will help in social sector development of the area and Balochistan. Earlier, on his arrival, Chief of Army Staff was received by Commander Southern Command, Lieutenant General Javed Zia.