Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal chairs a meeting in Quetta. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Reko Diq mine is located in the Chagai District. It represents one of the largest copper reserves in Pakistan and in the world having estimated reserves of 5.9 billion tonnes of ore grading 0.41% copper. It has gold reserves amounting to 41.5 million oz.
“We need to present our resources to the world so that international investors could be attracted to different sectors in Balochistan,” Kamal said while chairing a meeting to review pace of progress on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects and performance of livestock and mineral sectors.
The CM emphasised the need for increasing capacity of the departments and to develop land management-related issues along modern lines. “Public-private partnerships could be encouraged and resources could be leased out to investors,” he said.
Planning and Development Additional Chief Secretary Abdul Rehman Buzdar briefed the meeting about the PSDP. The CM said timely holding of progress review meetings as per the PSDP calendar should be ensured and all concerned secretaries should ensure their participation in the meetings.
He said the overall monitoring is the responsibility of the Planning and Development (P&D) Department, but the relevant departments are also responsible for timely and standard completion of their own development projects.
It was decided in the meeting that all departments will review their development projects and present their reports to the P&D department by March.
The secretary finance informed the meeting that the target of recovery of the province's receipts has been set at Rs21 billion this fiscal year, which will be achieved. The meeting reviewed pace of progress of 77 priority projects. The CM directed departments to ensure timely completion of the projects.
The secretary minerals informed the meeting that the federal government had approved establishment of a metal park at a cost of Rs300 million in the province. The secretary livestock said there are an estimated 39 billion livestock in the province with a total value of Rs542 billion.
“A livestock policy has been formulated for 2020-30. Dairy Development and Meat Production Parks are being established in the province for which the European Union has provided technical support. Livestock production zones will be set up in different districts,” he said.
He said under public-private partnership, three foreign-funded schemes are being implemented. The livestock sector would be modernized which will directly benefit the poor.
Provincial Minister Mitta Khan Kakar, Balochistan Chief Secretary Fazeel Asghar, secretary finance, secretary communication and other concerned authorities were present on the occasion.
Four million trees
Kamal on Monday announced that at least 4 million trees will be planted in Balochistan this year. He was inaugurating the tree-plantation campaign 2020 in Quetta.
Kamal said the tree plantation drive is being carried out in the province for the last one and half year.
“The government is focusing on providing quality facilities to the people,” he also said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2020.
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