Province received positive response in JCC: Buledi

Information minister says provincial demands were presented in ‘frank manner’

QUETTA: Balochistan’s representative in the 8th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, provincial Information Minister Zahoor Ahmed Buledi has said that the federal government and the Chinese side ‘responded positively’ to the province’s demands but the details are yet to be chalked out.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, the minister shared details of his visit to Beijing where he presented the provincial government’s stance about projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Talking to The Express Tribune after his arrival in Karachi from the meeting, the minister reiterated his positive outlook.

The Federal Government and the Chinese side have responded positively to our proposals but details are yet to be worked out. Federal Govt has assured us that some of these schemes will be financed as part of CPEC and the remaining will be financed from the Federal PSDP.#JCC2018

— Zahoor Buledi (@ZahoorBuledi) December 22, 2018

“Representing government of Balochistan in 8th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of CPEC at Beijing, presented GOB position regarding CPEC projects in the province in a frank and candid manner. We take Balochistan’s stakes in CPEC very seriously,” the minister said.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Jam Kamal, he said the “provincial government demanded 50 per cent share for Balochistan in socio-economic development grants”. The size of the portfolio is approximately $1 billion, including 20,000 scholarships for students.



Buledi said, “Government has demanded upgrade of the Gwadar Development Authority Hospital and establishment of a medical college and a nursing school in Gwadar through Chinese grants along with rehabilitation of Pasni Jetty.”

Authorities have been asked to assist the provincial government in developing health, education, agriculture and livestock sectors, he added.

During the meeting, construction of Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob and Nokandi-Mashkail-Parom roads was also discussed. It was highlighted that the projects were approved in previous JCC meetings and remained part of PSDP but were “lying dormant”.

Development of Bostan Special Economic Zone, extension of Hub Industrial Zone and building of hi-tech industries and business was also discussed, he said, adding that the Chinese response was positive.



He also said that the provincial government had decided to allot land for a 300MW power project in Gwadar on lease.

Buledi said, “The federal government and the Chinese side have responded positively to our proposals but details are yet to be worked out. Federal govt has assured us that some of these schemes will be financed as part of CPEC and the remaining will be financed from the federal PSDP.”

The other day, Balochistan Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding of the federal government to form a national commission to ascertain the share of Chinese investment for Balochistan.

Earlier this month, the provincial government expressed severe reservations over Balochistan’s share in the corridor project. CM Kamal slammed previous governments for deliberately letting the province ignored as it received only 2.5 per cent of Chinese investment.