Package of inducements: PM gives green light to Balochistan package

Inaugurates mega projects in Quetta; says govt is opening a new chapter of development in province

QUETTA:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday gave go-ahead to a package of inducements put together by the Balochistan government to foster peace and stability in the province plagued by a low-key insurgency for more than a decade.

The PM, who flew into Balochistan’s provincial capital Quetta to review progress on development projects and the security situation, put his seal of approval to what is dubbed Pur Aman Balochistan Package at a high-level meeting.

The meeting was attended by Balochistan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, army chief General Raheel Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch.

The prime minister was given a comprehensive briefing on the current security situation and initiatives taken by the federal and provincial governments as well as the armed forces to engage the people of Balochistan for improving the social and political milieu of the province.

The participants agreed to provide full security to the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in Balochistan.

Speaking on the occasion, the PM said Balochistan is to be the cornerstone of future development of Pakistan and would be the principal beneficiary of the CPEC projects.

“Infrastructure and communication network will be planned and executed for use of Balochistan resources while Gwadar port will be connected with Central Asian states by rail and road,” he said.

Nawaz directed that a strategy be crafted for building Gwadar Port City and Gwadar Port as economic hub and attraction for investments.



The premier directed to reach out to the people of Balochistan and make them partners in the development process. He appreciated the measures taken by the provincial government in this regard. He approved the Pur Aman Balochistan package for bringing back the angry Balochs into the national mainstream.

He expressed satisfaction over the consensus forged among all stakeholders on national issues and said it would take the country forward.

“The economic turnaround of Pakistan is being acknowledged by the world financial bodies and they are ready to work together with Islamabad,” he said, adding: “We are opening a new chapter of peace and development for the province.”

Nawaz Sharif directed the provincial government to keep the momentum of good work on track.

The PM also presided over a meeting of the provincial apex committee to review progress on implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism. He expressed satisfaction over improvement of law and order in Balochistan, “due to joint efforts of civil and military leadership”.

Balcohsiatn Chief Minister Dr Baloch later told newsmen the package will help bring back angry Baloch leaders into the mainstream. “It is an uncommon measure,” he added.

Development projects

The prime minister also laid the foundation stones of three projects – the Mangi Dam, Balochistan Agriculture University Quetta and Samungli Road Flyover – at the Governor House Quetta.  He also inaugurated Sariab Phatak Flyover.

The funds for three projects –Sariab Phatak Flyover, Mangi Dam and Samungli Road Flyover – were provided by the federal government while the provincial government would provide funds for Balochistan Agriculture University Quetta.

The Sariab Phatak Flyover is completed at a cost of Rs1,581   million in four years.

An allocation of Rs4,589 million has been made for Balochsitan Agriculture University Quetta which will be completed in three years. Mangi Dam will be provided Rs9,853 million and will complete in 36 months. Samungli Road Flyover Quetta will be completed at a cost of Rs1,499 million within 24 months.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2015.