CM orders ‘youth and women empowerment projects’ in budget

QUETTA:

Striving to integrate the rural women and youth of the country’s largest province into the mainstream, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has directed relevant departments to include women and youth empowerment projects in the forthcoming provincial budget.

The decision was taken by the provincial chief executive during a meeting with Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Suleman Mufti and Finance Secretary Hafiz Basit on Tuesday.

CM Bizenjo directed the officials to prepare a people-friendly budget and ensure giving relief to the people, adding that the aforementioned projects should be included in the budget so that they could play their due role in the development of the country and nation. "Protect the people’s interests in the budget", he ordered.

The two provincial bureaucrats briefed the chief minister about the forthcoming provincial budget and the steps his government has taken in this regard.

On the occasion, Bizenjo asked the officials to reduce non-development expenditures and increase the development funds to overcome the issue of poverty and unemployment in the province. "Ensure austerity and reduce non-development expenditures", the CM told the officials.

The Planning and Development (P&D) Department and Finance Department are engaged in finalising the projects recommended by the members of the Balochistan Assembly for the financial year 2022-23.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2022.