Drinking water projects

Efforts to provide clean drinking water, especially in water-deficit areas, are laudable. The European Union is spending 40 million euros on various projects to provide clean drinking water to the people of Balochistan. “The province of Balochistan is among the top priorities in the EU’s development programme in Pakistan so we have been cooperating with the provincial government to ensure facilities to the locals,” said EU Ambassador to Pakistan Androulla Kaminara while speaking the other day at a convention held under the auspices of the Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP). The envoy announced more social development programmes for local communities and Afghan refugees in the province. She said the EU has always valued Pakistan’s efforts in providing a safe and healthy environment to Afghan refugees who fled war in their country. She expressed sorrow over the recent destruction in Balochistan caused by snowfall and heavy rains and pledged that the EU would support the provincial government in its efforts to provide relief to the affectees.

Balochstan Governor Amanullah Yasinzai and other dignitaries, present at the convention, praised the support of the EU in providing basic facilities in the province. He said the Balochistan government, with the support of social development organisations and the EU, was taking steps for the uplift of the province. He also lauded the efforts of the BRSP in this regard. Provincial Finance Minister Zahoor Buledi said the incumbent Balochistan government had launched various development projects for the betterment of the people. Balochistan is a sprawling region where the availability of fresh water is limited. Not many areas have an ensured supply of safe drinking water. Since clean drinking water is essential for human health, the projects underway to provide safe drinking water to the people assumes significance. We hope the projects are completed at the earliest and do not suffer from official red tape. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2020.

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