CM Kamal underlines Balochistan’s importance in CPEC

'It would be unfortunate if concerned departments do not improve their performance'

QUETTA:

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Thursday said the country would get maximum benefits as soon as the importance of Balochistan has been acknowledged in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, adding that the real CPEC is Balochistan, which will provide access to Afghanistan, central Asian states from Chaman and furthermore to Europe through Iran and Turkey.

Presiding over a high-level meeting here on Thursday, he said that the province of Balochistan is a land of opportunities and its long coastal belt and other resources and projects, including TAPI gas pipeline project, further increased its importance in the region.

The meeting reviewed various development projects. All concerned ministers, secretaries and director general Balochistan Coastal Development Authority attended the meeting, which continued for several hours. The concerned officials briefed the CM about projects of their respective departments.

Kamal with the reference to the briefing said the present government believes in taking practical steps and wants to work for the development of all sectors and thus wants to empower them. He said it would, however, be unfortunate if concerned departments do not improve their performance.

He said that decisions regarding development and progress should not be kept only on papers and results should be visible on ground.

While reviewing the projects of the Forest & Wildlife Department , the chief minister expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance. He said despite being an important department, the concerned authorities had not determined the priorities and did not suggest development projects for the PSDP.

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