125,000 houses damaged in Balochistan floods
Torrential downpour and subsequent devastating flash floods have inflicted huge damage on the education infrastructure as around 3,000 schools across 26 districts of Balochistan have been destroyed or damaged. PHOTO: FILE
The recent devastating floods damaged around 125,000 houses in Balochistan, said Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo while briefing the United States Ambassador Donald Blome at a meeting on Wednesday.
He added that reconstruction and rehabilitation are the biggest challenges faced by his government.
Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili was also present at the meeting. American assistance in the development of Balochistan, investment, law and order situation in the province and other issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.
“Balochistan is the future of Pakistan and the security situation in Balochistan is much better than it was in the past,” he said.
There are no serious security threats, national highways and development projects in the province are safe, the CM added.
Bizenjo informed the ambassador that unnecessary check posts on national highways have been abolished to ensure smooth flow of traffic. He added that the development process in Gwadar is going on at a fast pace.
All the political parties of the province are on board and satisfied with the Reko Diq agreement, CM said.
Regarding the impact of climate change and vulnerability of Balochistan, Bizenjo said that, Pakistan and Balochistan have been bearing the brunt of climate change.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2022.