Centre to finance half of 10-year mega project for Balochistan, says PM Abbasi

• Says socio-economic development of people of province a priority of federal government
• Reiterates Centre’s full support to Balochistan government for improving security situation

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday announced a 10-year mega development programme for Balochistan to bring it on a par with other provinces, saying the socio-economic development of the people of the province was a priority of the federal government.

The premier said the federal government would provide 50 per cent of the funds for the plan while the other half would be financed by the Balochistan government.

Under the new development programme, the premier told reporters after chairing a high-level meeting at the Governor’s House in Quetta, all union councils in the province would receive electricity, water, gas, health and educational facilities.

He also announced installation of 11 liquefied natural gas (LPG) plants in different parts of the province at a cost of Rs200 million.

BALOCHISTAN’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC UPLIFT, A PRIORITY:

Chairing the meeting on development projects initiated under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Balochistan at the Governor’s House, Prime Minister Abbasi said the socio-economic development of the people of Balochistan was a priority of the federal government.

According to a handout issued by PM Office’s media wing, the additional chief secretary (Development) presented a detailed briefing on the development projects, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, tubewell solarisation, special economic zones, water management projects, and oil and gas exploration projects.

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri, Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch, National Security Advisor Nasser Janjua, Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Bajwa, Balochistan Home Minister Safaraz Bugti, Balochistan chief secretary and other senior officials attended the meeting.

LEAS’ SACRIFICES FOR PEACE IN BALOCHISTAN UNMATACHED:

Prime Minister Abbasi, while chairing a meeting on law and order situation in Balochistan, said that sacrifices rendered by all law enforcement agencies were unmatached for bringing peace in the province.

He reiterated that the federal government would provide full support to the Balochistan government for improving the law and order situation.

PM Abbasi also addressed the lack of facilities available for Shia pilgrims visiting Iran via road, and promised that the government would ensure that all kinds of facilities were provided to travellers at the Pak-Iran border in Taftan.

During the meeting, CM Sanaullah Zehri apprised the prime minister that the law and order situation in Balochistan had considerably improved as the back of the terrorists had been broken.

Prominent among those at the meeting included Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch, National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua, Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Bajwa, IG Frontier Constabulary, Balochistan Home Minister Safaraz Bugti, Balochistan chief secretary, IG Police and other senior officials.

The meeting also offered prayers for the martyrs of a terrorist incident that occurred recently in Quetta.

The Balochistan Home secretary presented a detailed briefing on the law and order. Security measures for Shia pilgrims were also discussed in detail.

ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON TIME:

PM Abbasi, while addressing a press conference, rejected rumours about the possibility of early elections in the country.

“The government will complete its term in June 2018 and elections will be held two months later,” Abbasi said.

“This is how democracy works,” he said, adding, “Government runs as per the Constitution and the law should always be above everything else.”

Earlier on his arrival at the Quetta airport, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zahri received the prime minister along with the provincial cabinet members and senior officials.

The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Dostain Khan Domki and National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua.