Work begins on women-specific uplift projects in Balochistan

CM says lack of planning has impeded completion of several schemes for last 15 years

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal has laid the foundation stone of a Women Business Incubation Centre as well as a Women Bazar and a Working Women Hostel in the provincial capital.

Rs100 million have been allocated for the incubation centre that will promote female entrepreneurship by providing office space, conducive infrastructure, and business development support.

The Women Bazar and Working Women Hostel will be constructed through funds allocated for the Women Development Department under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

Speaking on the occasion on Wednesday, Kamal laid emphasis on the importance of women’s contribution to societal development. He said his government is establishing women hostels, women incubation centers and women bazar in all districts.

“Change will take time because we have been attempting to enhance the self-sufficiency of Balochistan by utilizing our own resources on public development. The provincial government seeks to uplift provincial development with better planning and good governance,” the chief minister said.

He said schools, colleges, dams, and other infrastructure were built in the past but due to flaws in financial management, they did not yield any result for the common people.

Kamal said lack of planning had barred completion of development schemes for the past 5 years.

“Instead of blaming the previous governments, the provincial government has been focusing on its future goals in order to uplift development in Balochistan.

“We have been reviewing the needs of public departments and moving forward with an effective mechanism. The government is also looking for investment.”

He said the incumbent government has commenced construction of highways in Balochistan spanning 2,500km which would be completed in the next five years.

Addressing the ceremony, Finance Minister Zahoor Buledi slammed the opposition for ‘inappropriate criticism’ of the provincial government and said instead of leveling accusations, the opposition should visit the province and tell the masses about the ground realities.

“We have been utilizing our expertise in order to uplift Balochistan. Hence, the provincial government has included mega-development schemes for the masses in the fiscal budget of 2019-20, Buledi added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2020.