Alvi assures review of gas tariff for winter

Meets Governor Yasinzai and Chief Minister Kamal

QUETTA: President Dr Arif Alvi has assured Chief Minister Jam Kamal that the issue of relief in gas prices for winter season will be discussed with the prime minister.

Speaking at a press conference during a daylong visit to Quetta on Wednesday, Dr Alvi said Balochistan should be given special relief under the prevailing financial crisis. Governor Amanullah Yasinzai and CM Kamal were also present on the occasion.

The president said the province’s demand for relief in gas tariffs was separately discussed with the chief minister and would be presented before the federal government. The issues of clean drinking water in Gwadar and Quetta and also came under discussion during meetings with the CM and the governor, he added.



“Centre has been taking immediate steps to resolve water issues in the province, and we are ready to assist the provincial government in construction of new dams,” he said.

Dr Alvi said that plantation of Juniper trees was underway across the country under the Prime Minister’s Green Pakistan Scheme because “without protecting trees, we should not expect rains”.

He told newsmen that the federal minister for railways was working on a plan to connect Karachi and Gwadar.

The president highlighted that Balochistan had a major potential for private investment due to its long coastal strip and rich mineral resources.

“The fisheries sector in the province also has vast opportunities for private investors,” he said, adding that the province’s coastal strip could fetch $10 billion worth of revenue in this sector.



To a question about any assistance for steering Balochistan out of its financial problems, Dr Alvi said the federal government too was faced with financial issues, but expressed the hope that positive changes in the economy would be witnessed in the coming days.

Defending the PM’s visit to Saudi Arabia and China for assistance, he said that a change in viewpoint should not be construed as a U-turn.

During his visit to Quetta, President Alvi was accompanied by Sindh Governor Imran Ismael, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.

The leaders, meanwhile, expressed condolences with NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri on the demise of his mother.