Zardari for expediting development projects in Balochistan

President Asif Ali Zardari called on Tuesday for ensuring early completion of large scale development projects in Balochistan to provide jobs and opportunities to the people and bring the province at par with the rest of the country while addressing the sense of deprivation among the locals.
“The province’s speedy development is the top priority of the government,” the president said while chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on development projects, as he directed the state functionaries to improve their working.
Briefing reporters, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Nadeem Ul Haq, Balochistan Chief Secretary Mir Ahmad Baksh Lehri, National Highway Authority Chairman Muhammad Ali Gardezi and WAPDA Chairman Shakil Durrani gave separate presentations on development projects in infrastructure, transport and communication, water sector including small and medium dams and other projects under the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan.
Zardari said the future of the country was dependent on the success of Gwadar Port and urged the authorities concerned to quickly complete work on the airport and other projects linking Gwadar to other parts of the country.
He assured the participants that despite the difficult economic situation, the government would take all possible steps for funding various large scale development projects being undertaken under the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan.
The meeting was told that out of 1,180 ongoing projects being executed throughout the country, 133 projects costing Rs 305 billion were reserved for Balochistan.
Water and Power Secretary Imtiaz Kazi and WAPDA Chairman Shakil Durrani said 23 water sector projects were being financed in the province at a cost of Rs 111 billion.