QUETTA-Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that Balochistan was given significant representation in the Federal Cabinet in order to end sense of deprivation in the province. He expressed these views while addressing a Press conference at Quetta Airport after visiting earthquake areas on Monday. Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, Federal Minister Humayun Aziz Kurd and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. He said that govt was fully committed to redress the grievances of Balochistan which were due to policies of the former rulers. He said that the govt was accelerating efforts for ending sense of deprivation among the people of the province. 'In this regard the govt will pursue policy of reconciliation in the province in order to strengthen the Federation',he added. Gilani said that Federal govt would resolve problems of Balochistan in collaboration with the friendly countries and in this regard mineral, agriculture and other sectors would be developed in order to end backwardness in the province. Gilani said that the govt would take all steps for the rehabilitation of October 29 earthquake affectees of Balochistan and rebuild their houses. He said that the survey teams had carried out transparent survey of the losses and damages caused by the earthquake and submitted their reports alongwith photographs of the damaged houses. He expressed the hope that their would be no shortage of ration and essential items in the quake-hit areas. Referring to the health facilities in quake-hit areas, he said that there were adequate quantity of medicines and mobile health teams of the provincial govt which will ensure provision of facilities to quake survivors in their respective villages. PM said that the wrong polices of former govt would not be repeated as the present govt believed in politics of reconciliation. 'All cases have been withdrawn which were registered against political leaders so that the reconciliation process could proceed', he added. He said Pakistan was not alone in world community as all friendly countries were extending financial support to Pakistan so that it could steer out of the financial crisis. He said that financial crisis was looming across the world, however, he said that after cooperation of friend countries Pakistan would become financially stable. Responding a question, he said that country has a Parliament and whatever it decides about the restoration of deposed Chief Justice, govt would strictly follow it. To another query regarding alleged ban on private TV channels in Sindh, PM said that as he reached Islamabad he would ask Information Minister in this regard. He said that PPP had rendered sacrifices for the sake of independent media and judiciary as when Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency in the country late PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto reached the country within three hours and had called a meeting of Central Executive Committee so that a strategy could be devised against ban on media. He said that after formation of govt, PPP abolished those laws which restricted media. Earlier,Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani handed over a check of Rs 2.09 billion to Chief Minister for assistance of quake-effected people of Balochistan on Monday. Prime Minister visited quake-hit areas of Ziarat where he reviewed relief and rehabilitation process and addressed a gathering at Wam village which was badly damaged due to earthquake and distributed cheques among the affected people. Addressing on the occasion, he said that govt would reconstruct the houses destroyed in earthquake in Balochistan. He said that he would direct the concerned officials of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to take prompt action for rebuilding of the damaged houses in quake-hit areas. He said that President had already announced compensation of Rs 0.3 million and Rs 0.2 million respectively for heirs of those who lost their relatives in the earthquake. Besides, he and the President had announced Rs 0.1 million and Rs 50,000 respectively for each injured of the quake. He informed that so for 17600 tents, 2750 winterised tents, 98,000 blankets,300 single room shelter houses and 11767 tonnes of ration were already distributed among the affected people. He said that 2400 tents, 3000 winterised tents, 92000 blankets, 8000 single room shelter house and 1100 tons of ration would be distributed to the quake-hit-people. He said that the concerned officials were making estimates of agricultural loans and utility bills of the quake-stricken people and govt would consider and subsequently write off their agricultural loans. He asked the people not to politicise the issue of survey and rehabilitation process in the quake-stricken areas. He said that govt was taking this issue seriously and people of Balochistan should not consider themselves alone in the hour of need. He thanked all those countries, provincial govts, international and national NGOs, Army, FC and volunteers who helped the quake-affected people following the earthquake. Later, he distributed cheques among over 55 affectees. Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and other provincial and Federal Ministers and senior officials were also present on the occasion. NNI adds: Gilani has said that the purpose to obtain credit facility from IMF is to improve the country's economy and bring financial discipline. Talking to newsmen in Rojhan Mazari on Monday, he said that the global recession affected the developing and under developing countries and Pakistan is one of them. He said that Pakistan has limited options and we opted to go to IMF to steer out the country out of the economic crisis. He referred to the previous govts of Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who also worked with IMF. The Prime Minister said the govt will bring financial discipline, reduce non-developmental expenditures and impose ban on the import of luxury items to improve the economy. He said that govt is taking steps to check price-hike particularly the food items and is endeavouring to reduce the prices of the commodities which were resulted by global food inflation. He said that govt reduced the oil prices as they were reduced in the international markets. To a question, he categorically stated the defence budget would not be curtailed and would not accept any IMF conditions in this regard. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has condoled the death of ex-deputy speaker Punjab Assembly Shaukat Hussain Khan Mazari and MPA in Rojhan. He expressed his grief over this sad demise and prayed for the departed soul.