Balochistan making strident economic, social progress: Zehri

Says Govt to devote its resources for consolidating peace and security

QUETTA:

The provincial government will continue its efforts to curb illiteracy, alleviate poverty and eliminate hunger and social backwardness, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri said in his New Year’s message on Sunday.

Highlighting his government’s successes, he said that over the past two years, the provincial government had been making rapid progress in economic and social development.

Pledging to bring Balochistan on a par with other developed regions in the country, he said that the government would focus on establishing durable peace, besides minimising the impact of poverty, hunger and disease by promoting projects in health and education sectors.

The government, he said, would continue to devote its resources for consolidating peace and security while disallowing disruptive elements from disturbing public peace at will.

Referring to accelerated pace of economic development during his tenure, he said that Balochistan had been able to attract local and foreign investors from friendly countries for developing mineral and alternative energy sectors.

Referring to significant investment in various sectors, Zehri said that with the cooperation of the federal government, the provincial economy would stabilise and improve. This, he said, was visible with the signing of investment agreements in Balochistan-based projects.

Referring to improvements in the communication sector, Zehri said that better road connectivity would help boost provincial economy as well as trade and commerce.

Projects in the communication sector would help create more jobs, he said.

According to him, the provincial government had approved a balanced budget with increased allocation for social sector needs.

He said that his government had deviated from the past practices, focusing more on development, peace and security and the well-being of the masses.

He said his government had achieved the target of defending public life and property and this same policy had resulted in defeating terrorism.

Praising the performance of security forces, he said that they had crushed terrorists.

According to him, the provincial government had increased budget for the health sector in accordance with public expectations.

Most health and education sector institutions in the province were working efficiently and people were satisfied with their performance.