PM orders payment of Rs34b dues to Balochistan

Forms committee to address financial problems of province

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the prompt payment of Rs34 billion dues owed by Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) to Balochistan.

This decision was made following a meeting between the prime minister and a delegation comprising Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Parliamentary Leader Mir Khalid Khan Magsi, and Senator Naseebullah Bazai at the National Assembly (NA).

The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the financial challenges faced by the province and addressing the concerns raised by the Balochistan chief minister.

The delegation highlighted the efforts of BAP, headed by its President Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, in safeguarding the interests of the people of Balochistan and the northern region.

Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised on the strong alliance between the federal government and BAP, affirming that the development of Balochistan remained a top priority.

Premier Shehbaz formed a committee to address the reservations of BAP regarding the development projects and issues faced by the province.

The committee will comprise Sanjrani, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, Agha Hassan Baloch, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Dr Musaddiq Malik, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Manzoor Kakar.

The prime minister tasked the committee to hold a detailed consultation and present him a report within a week.

In the meeting, the BAP decided to take part in the budget session and extend its full support to the government.

The prime minister said that being an important coalition partner, the BAP played a key role in every decision-making of the government.

He said that Balochistan's development could not be carried out without BAP's input and that the country's progress was linked with that of Balochistan province.

The Senate chairman appreciated the prime minister for his keen interest and special measures for the uplift of Balochistan.

Expressing his gratitude, CM Bizenjo thanked the prime minister, expressing satisfaction over the progress made in resolving the province's problems.

As a result, he withdrew the announcement of a boycott of the federal budget, instructing the members of his party in the NA and Senate to participate fully in the budget session. (With input from app)