CM Bizenjo urges end to load-shedding

Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo on Friday said that the unannounced load shedding was hampering day to day life in Balochistan and demanded of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to direct the power ministry to address this issue.

He said that the jobs of 70 per cent of people of Balochistan were linked with agriculture which was dependent on tube wells.

"Agriculture sector suffers because of power outages", he said. Bizenjo said that Growers Action Committee has already threatened of blocking national highways against unannounced load shedding.

He said that the province cannot prosper and develop without the support of the federal government.

The CM expressed these views while addressing a function organized at Business Center Gwadar on Friday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also present on the occasion.

“We have a scattered population and meager resources,” he said. The CM stated that despite financial issues, his government presented a pro-poor and balanced budget in Balochistan.

“There is no protest against our budget from any corner,” he said, adding that all constituencies and areas were given equal share in the budget. He said huge amounts were allocated for the construction of roads, schools and health units to improve socio-economic conditions in the province.

Regarding the law and order budget, CM said that Balochistan remained in the grip of violence because of foreign involvement.

He said the government was spending more on law and order. He said that government had abolished all unnecessary check posts located in various parts of Balochistan.

“No more humiliation of the general public at the check posts,” he said.

Bizenjo said that the government has directed all law enforcement agencies to respect the people and avoid unnecessary checking.

CM Balochistan said that Gwadar Port should be declared a tax-free zone on the patron of Chah Bahar Port of Iran to attract national and foreign investment.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2022.