Slow pace of work on Balochistan uplift irks PM

PM directs holding Apex Committee meeting on Balochistan projects every month

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed concerns over the slow pace of development projects under the Southern Balochistan Development Package and directed on Saturday for holding a meeting of the Apex Committee every month `to review the projects’ execution.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review the realisation of the package, the prime minister instructed for holding the meeting of the execution committee fortnightly to speed up work on the 200 development projects worth Rs655 billion.

The meeting was informed that the Apex Committee – which is headed by the chief minister of the province – had held only one meeting in a year. Imran said that he would hold review committee meetings every month to remove impediments in the completion of the development projects.

The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to complete the Turbat Airport and build two nursing colleges in Gwadar and Turbat at the earliest.

He pointed out that the issues facing Balochistan were different from the rest of the country because the population was scattered in the province. He stressed on finding out-of-the-box solutions to improve the lives of the people of Balochistan.

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He directed the ministries of planning, energy, maritime affairs, and the government of Balochistan to work in close coordination to accelerate the work on transport, energy and infrastructure projects under the Southern Balochistan Development Package.

Earlier the prime minister was briefed that Balochistan was a resource-rich province as it produces 40% of the locally-produced gas in the country. Ownership of the federal government was very much needed to solve various issues facing this strategically very important province.

The prime minister directed the Balochistan government to revamp its governance structure at the grassroots level not only to accelerate the pace of work on development projects but also to improve the service delivery to the common man.

He also directed the authorities concerned to launch an effective media campaign to ensure maximum public awareness of the government’s initiatives for the welfare of the people of Balochistan.

The meeting was attended by Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, Industries Minister Khusro Bakhtiar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Adviser on Finance Shaukat Tarin, Balochistan Chief Minister Quddus Bizenjo and senior officers.