PM takes Balochistan’s matters in own hands

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Directs Balochistan government to ensure proper governance, says federal government providing increased funds for Balochistan’s development with particular focus on development of infrastructure

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday chaired a meeting on matters pertaining to Balochistan province at the Prime Minister’s House.

In view of the upcoming Senate elections, the premier decided to take matters pertaining to the Balochistan government in his own hands, sources said.

The meeting was held ahead of the premier’s departure to attend the funeral of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah. The meeting handout stated that matters associated with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Balochistan were discussed.

According to an official statement about Friday’s meeting, the PM asked the provincial government to ensure proper governance within the province. He also said that the federal government was providing increased funds for the development of the province with particular focus on the development of infrastructure.

He had earlier said that Balochistan is an important part of the country and both provincial and federal governments should work in coordination for the optimum utilisation of the mineral resources in the province, adding that the development of the GwadarPort along with the construction of the Pak-China Economic Corridor would bring prosperity for the people of Balochistan.

Balochistan Assembly will be electing 12 senators on March 3.

Leadership in Balochistan had reportedly complained that issues pertaining to their constituencies were not being addressed by the current regime in the province.

PML-N has the highest majority of seats in Balochistan and, according to sources, PM Sharif has taken control of all party issues to satisfy the reservations of all parties.

The premier, on Thursday, was apprised on the situation in the province by PML-N’s Balochistan President Sardar Sanaullah Zehri.

Sources have said that Zehri handed over a long list of development projects for PML-N’s lawmakers to the PM and requested him to direct Balochistan’s CM to implement them immediately.

PML-N party matters relating to the province also came under discussion during the meeting which was attended by Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq, SAFRON Minister Lt General (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Senators Mir Hasil Bizenjo, Sardar Yaqoob Nasir, MNA Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Balochistan Minister for Mines and Minerals Sardar Sanaullah Zehri; Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and Political Secretary to PM Dr Asif Kirmani.