QUETTA – The Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani has said that the approval of 32 development schemes, shelved years ago, worth Rs 28 billion for Balochistan clearly indicates the change in the attitude of the federal government and signified success for the people of Balochistan.
Raisani said this while talking to reporters on Monday at Quetta airport upon his arrival from Islamabad after chairing the meeting of Central Development Working Party (CDWP). The meeting on Friday last approved 70 development schemes including 32 for Balochistan with the allocated funds of Rs 170 billion including Rs 28 billion for
the province.
The provincial Ministers Mir Sadiq Umrani (PPP), Babu Mohammad Amin Umrani (PPP), Mir Asim Kurd Gaillu (PML-Q), Chief Secretary Ahmad Bakhsh Lahri and Inspector General of Police Malik Mohammad Iqbal were also present.
The Chief Minister said that these development schemes were pending for the last one decade and ultimately the federal government under the auspice of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and with the efforts of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Nadeem Ul Haq had approved these schemes. He said that it was a pleasant change in the attitude of federal government. He said that funding had been provided for the development of sectors including irrigation, road, provision of clean drinking water, construction of 200 dams and education.
He dispelled the impression that the federal government will introduce cut on the development funds of Balochistan and clarified that the prime minister had already assured that the development funds of Balochistan will remain cut free. He said that the federal government kept its promise in Federal Public Sector Development Program (FPSDP) and similarly the funds of development schemes of CDWP will not be slashed. He said that the work on these schemes will start soon and will be completed in 3 years. He said that it was encouraging to note that the federal government gave approval of these development schemes by keeping in view the backwardness and poverty of the province.
When asked about the reducing the provincial government cabinet size, the chief minister said that the critics were in habit to criticize the government for having big cabinet which was in accordance with the size of the province. He said that it was not possible to have a small cabinet in Balochistan because the province is large.
When asked about the on going tribal clashes between two tribes in Chattar area of Naseerabad district, he said that he was in contact with the tribal elders including provincial Minister Mir Abdur Rahman Mengal in this regard and the dispute will be resolved amicably. He told that the dispute would also be discussed in the cabinet and a high level meeting.
