CM readies agenda for Beijing meet

Will seek to get larger CPEC share for Balochistan at JCC

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan is trying to gain major share in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) pie for the province, a government spokesman said, adding that he and federal minister for Planning and Development are likely to participate in the all-important session of Joint Coordination Committee of CPEC to be held in Beijing on December 20.

In an official handout on Sunday, the official said over the last five years, Balochistan was awarded merely two development projects – Gawadar Port and Hubco Coal Power Project.

“Though those development projects are crucial for Balochistan, the provincial government seeks more schemes to provide direct relief to the downtrodden people of the province,” the spokesperson said.



The statement reads: “CM Kamal during the last session to review progress of CPEC related development projects expressed concern over giving less opportunity to Balochistan. He held the previous regimes responsible for ignoring provincial share in mega development projects.

“Balochistan CM and federal minister for P&D are likely to participate in coming JCC of CPEC. CM Kamal has vowed to utilise his earnest efforts to clinch major share of CPEC for Balochistan in next phase of infrastructure of Pakistan-China development projects,” the spokesperson added.

Relief for drought-hit areas

On the special instructions of chief minister, Home Minister Saleem Khosa and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have dispatched a relief package including food and blankets to the drought-hit areas of the province.



According to details, the PDMA provided parcels to 5,000 families of the drought-hit areas of Rakhshan division.

The CM has further directed the government officials to collect information about drought-stricken areas under their jurisdiction so that government can keep the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the areas of Killa Saifullah, Kalat, Washuk, Kharan including 12 other districts have been declared badly affected by famine. Owing to the food shortage, children have become vulnerable to multiple diseases.

Owing to widespread famine, the mortality rate of livestock in the stricken areas has increased.

Moreover, in order to keep strict monitoring on teachers and education department staff, the provincial government has connected CM complaints cell with secondary education department.
Adviser to CM on Education Muhammad Khan Lehri has been leading the complaint cell to take immediate action against complaints regarding education department.

During his surprise visit to Kalat and Mastung districts on Saturday, Lehri suspended around 50 absent teachers. “The education department has deducted Rs107 million from salaries of absent teachers and we are going to make public 16 years performance report of secondary education department,” said Lehri.