Balochistan's uplift top priority: PM

Directs authorities to introduce a modern SWM across country

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated that the development, prosperity and welfare of the people of Balochistan remained the federal government's top priority.

He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of senior politicians and members of the Senate from Balochistan at the Prime Minister's Office, a statement said.

During the meeting, the premier observed that Balochistan was rich in natural resources and emphasized that the government was making every possible effort to ensure that the people of the province fully benefited from those resources.

He said the Centre, in collaboration with the provincial government, was actively working for the progress and uplift of Balochistan and undertaking measures aimed at improving the living standards of its people.

The delegation included Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki, Balochistan Provincial Minister for Public Health Engineering Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Member of the Balochistan Assembly Sardar Changez Marri, and Mir Khuda Bakhsh Marri.

The participants also discussed matters relating to the overall development of the province and the welfare of the people of Balochistan.

SWM

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to introduce a modern and sustainable solid waste management (SWM) system across the country in coordination with provincial governments. He chaired a meeting on solid waste management here, a PM's Office statement said.

During the meeting, the prime minister decided to formulate a comprehensive roadmap for generating electricity from solid waste as part of the government's broader strategy to promote renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources.

He also directed the formation of a task force to prepare a detailed action plan for converting solid waste into energy. The prime minister added that the task force will develop recommendations in light of modern technology and international best practices.

He instructed officials to ensure the inclusion of private sector representatives and internationally renowned experts in the proposed task force to make the initiative more effective and result-oriented. He said that generating energy from solid waste would help reduce dependence on imported fuel and save valuable foreign exchange reserves.

Doctor-to-nurse ratio

The PM said the government was determined to improve the doctor-to-nurse ratio in the country to strengthen the healthcare sector and ensure effective delivery of medical services to the public.

In his message on International Nurses Day, the prime minister said the strength of the health sector largely depended on the balanced presence of doctors and nurses.