–Announces health, water, gas projects for the province
DERA BUGTI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has urged the estranged Baloch to leave the path of confrontation and join the national mainstream for the development of Balochistan as he announced various development projects for Balochistan.
Speaking after the Kacchi Canal inauguration ceremony in Dera Bugti on Thursday, PM Abbasi said every district of Balochistan will be provided with gas facilities at the cost of Rs 15 billion and a hospital will also be established in Dera Bugti.
Commenting on the Kacchi Canal, the premier said the first phase of the project completed at a cost of Rs 80 billion will irrigate 72,000 acres of barren yet cultivable land in Dera Bugti.
He said the foundation of Kachhi Canal was laid in 1998 government of Nawaz Sharif but the subsequent governments did not release funds for this project. “Today, Nawaz Sharif should have been here,” he said, adding that the former premier had been involved in every phase of the project.
He also announced the establishment of a 50-bed hospital in Dera Bugti and pointed out that 21 universities are being set up with the help of federal government.
He said more than Rs 700 billion of projects relating to water, provision of electricity and gas and roads are under implementation in Balochistan.
He termed the Kachhi canal as a “project of love” as the 363-kilometre long main canal (out of which 351 kilometer is lined canal) takes off from Taunsa Barrage to irrigate barren land in Dera Bugti. The discharge capacity of the main canal is 6,000 cusecs and as many as 914 structures have been constructed.
The PM referred to the demand of the people about the shortage of drinking water in Dera Bugti and Domki and assured that the problem of water will be resolved soon.
He said the most precious source is water and the government is paying due attention to it. He said work on Diamer Bhasha Dam has started, while water projects of Rs 200 billion are being implemented in Balochistan.
He asked the people to make a decision in the next general elections whether they want development of the country as the performance of political parties was before them.
The function was attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri, Federal Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch, Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti and a large number of tribal elders of the area.
With the completion of Kachhi Canal’s Phase-I, water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture have achieved a land mark. Kachhi Canal, started 15 years ago, was almost an abandoned project owing to gross cost overrun and long delays. However, the project was revitalized due to active support of the federal government and commitment of WAPDA.
