Govt green-lights small loans scheme for youth

Cabinet also approves land for Gwadar Shipyard project

QUETTA: Balochistan cabinet has approved a plan to provide small loans to young people with the support of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Akhuwat Foundation

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Jam Kamal on Thursday, lauded the programme and termed it as a vital tool to end poverty in Balochistan.

Initially Rs1.6 billion has been allocated for the programme under which small loans would be offered to young people of Balochistan for small businesses and livestock and agriculture purposes.

The cabinet unanimously approved a joint venture of Khadi Graft Development Company and Ministry of Industries and Production that would launch new skill development programmes in Balochistan.

The cabinet also approved land for Gwadar Shipyard while constituting a committee led by chief secretary to talk with the Centre over provincial equity in development projects in Balochistan.

Gwadar Shipyard project would create more than 10,000 jobs. The Ministry of Defense Production would establish Human Resource Training Center, hospital and social centers in Gawadar.

The cabinet also directed all departments to digitalize their operation.

It also discussed various proposals regarding development of tourism in Gidani, Kund Malir and Oarmara using the Public Private Partnership model.

The cabinet also approved additional funds for purchasing new bulldozers in Balochistan while also directed authorities to organize auctions for useless bulldozers.

The cabinet agreed to give additional funds for constructing cold storage at Dalbandin, headquarters of district Chaghi in order to uplift agriculture in Balochistan.

“The provincial cabinet is the only forum where new legislations and reforms are approved in better interest of people of Balochistan after comprehensive debates and discussions,” CM Kamal said while addressing the cabinet members.

He directed all departments to use GIS and Information Technology in development projects in order to ensure better profiling and needs of all districts. He also directed the concerned authorities to include vegetable market and truck stands in development projects being initiated in Dalbandin city.

The cabinet approved additional funds for Nawa Killi Bypass following the PC-1. It also approved construction of Bekhar road and directed the C&W department to start work on it.

“The coalition government in Balochistan is taking steps to uplift the province,” Kamal said. He vowed to secure provincial rights at every cost. The cabinet also approved additional funds for the Balochistan Residential College and construction of a bus terminal in district Zhob.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2019.