Balochistan govt plans polytechnic university

Zahoor Buledi says CM Kamal-led govt is committed to empowering women

QUETTA: Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi has said the provincial government has a plan to establish a polytechnic university in the province for developing human resources.

“Technical training institutes exist in six districts of Balochistan but are non-functional. However, the government is making efforts to make these training institutes and centres functional for technical training of young people,” said Buledi while speaking at a cooking workshop arranged by the Balochistan Women Association (BWA) at the Quetta Press Club the other day.

“Balochistan very much needs skilled human resources,” he added.

Buledi said Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan-led coalition government was focusing on women empowerment and wanted to bring women on a par with men so they could play their important role in the development of Balochistan.

“Half of Pakistan’s population comprises women and without involving them in the development of the country, Pakistan cannot progress,” Buledi said. “Our women are talented and can play their role in the development of Balochistan. In the past the women were ignored and not given opportunities.”

Buledi said the government was also establishing nursing colleges in Gwadar and Ziarat and hostels were being made in this regard.

He said the present government was making all-out efforts to use women work force in all important sectors and utilise their skills and talents in developing Balochistan.

“Balochistan women working in different sectors have proved their ability and talent through their performance,” he said.

The minister said the BWA would be given every help and cooperation in its efforts to empower women in the province.

He said the government wanted to restructure the institutes which provided training so that skilled women could come forward and play their role in the society.

“Besides this, health and education sectors are also being given preference. The government is working for reviving business activities.”

BWA President Sana Durrani said cooking workshops were started in 2011 and a large number of women had availed benefit from it.

“After getting training, over 100 women have started their own business,” she added.

On the occasion, the certificates were distributed among 108 girls who had completed their apprenticeship in different professions.