CPEC to open new avenues for province, says governor

Balochistan to seek private sector support for education

QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Amanullah Yasinzai on Monday said the development of Gwadar city under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would provide ample opportunities to the people of the province, especially Quetta’s neighbouring district of Kech.

“The corridor project will change the lifestyle of the people of this area [Kech],” the governor said while speaking at the second convocation ceremony of the University of Turbat on Monday.

Balochistan Minister for Information and Higher Education Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Turbat University Vice Chancellor Professor Abdul Razzaq Sabir, Parliamentary Secretary for Women Development and Law Affairs Mahjabeen Sheran, former provincial minister Rehmat Sauleh and other officials also attended the ceremony.

As many as 60 students were conferred with graduation degrees during the ceremony.
“Today is a historic day not only for the students but also for their parents,” the governor said, adding “these youngsters will contribute to the province’s development in the future”.
Yasinzai lauded the students for completing their education and called them the pride of Balochistan. “Graduating students will earn a good name for the country and province,” he added. The governor also said the joint efforts of the university’s management and teaching staff would play a vital role in the development of Turbat University.
On the occasion, Minister for Information and Education Zahoor Buledi said the provincial government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan, is taking initiatives for the improvement of education in Balochistan. “We are working to establish more higher education institutions in the province,” said Buledi.

He said campuses being established in Gwadar and Dera Murad Jamali by the provincial government would soon be elevated to university status.
Low enrollment in schools was among the major challenges for the government, he said, adding “we are trying to solve this problem with the help of the private sector”. He highlighted that the provincial government was seeking the private sector’s support in improving education in the province.

The incumbent government has allocated Rs1 billion for upgradation of colleges and Rs600 million separately for shelterless schools in the provincial budget, said Buledi.
He also said that the provincial government is taking initiatives for the eradication of unemployment and for the betterment of education. The government will publish advertisements for 10 thousand jobs for secondary education and 600 vacancies for colleges, he added.

Vice Chancellor Abdul Razzaq Sabir also spoke at the convocation ceremony. He also presented paintings and local shawls to the distinguished guests.