Balochistan govt approves special security unit of police

Provincial cabinet gives go-ahead to Rs16b plantation drive

QUETTA: In a move to strengthen security in the provincial capital, the provincial cabinet on Thursday approved Balochistan police’s Special Security Division.

As per the meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Aliyani, around 1,305 new vacancies from superintendent of police (SP) to constable would be filled for the new division, which would be equipped with modern weaponry, communication system and training.

Provincial ministers, advisors to the chief minister, the provincial chief secretary, provincial secretaries and government officials were present in the meeting.

The cabinet unanimously approved to shift Gwadar, Lasbela and Quetta status from B to A areas, which means that the police would be responsible for security instead of Balochistan Levies forces.

It also approved the 10 billion tsunami tree project under the Green Pakistan initiative of Prime Minister Imran Khan, under which 250 million new trees and saplings would be planted across the province.

The meeting was informed that an amount of Rs16 billion has been estimated for the project, with the federal government bearing 75 per cent of the project cost.

“The project will result in an increase in total forest area and provide protection to wildlife species in Balochistan. It will also create jobs and economic opportunities for people of Balochistan,” Kamal said.

The meeting agreed that the provincial cabinet would urge the Centre to release their share, or 75%, of the project cost at the earliest to expedite the process.

Furthermore, the provincial government decided to release Rs939 million to be awarded as compensation to those affected by the construction of Mirani Dam, which has been pending since 2007. The meeting added that more funds would be released for this purpose in next financial year.

The cabinet also approved the bill pertaining to Balochistan Housing Authority, while deciding to introduce Balochistan Housing and Town Planning Act. According to it, the housing authority would be established under urban planning and development. The authority would build new housing schemes on divisional and district level basis at a cost that is appropriate for the impoverished people of the province.

It also approved the second phase of the Kacchi plain water supply scheme, directing the public health engineering department to increase the pace of work in order to ensure clean drinking water supply for the people of Bhag.

While reviewing the brief of development projects planned in the next financial year, the cabinet was informed that the actual estimation of development projects in the current financial year was Rs38 billion. “Planning and development has authorized Rs32 billion rupees, while 336 schemes would be removed from provincial Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) after completion,” it was informed.