Gwadar’s development: Rights of locals to be protected: Baloch

CM, Commander Southern Command visit the port city.

QUETTA:

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has assured residents of Gwadar that their rights will be protected and that the coastal town stands to benefit the most from the development of the deep sea port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Malik visited Gwadar on Sunday along with Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Amir Riaz and held a high-level meeting in the coastal district where they reviewed development plans and issues facing the residents.

“We have been striving hard to ensure availability of clean drinking water…. availability of basic services such as education, health and electricity,” the Balochistan chief minister said.

With the CPEC and the coastal township providing an outlet to landlocked countries of Central Asia, Baloch said that local residents will be among the first to enjoy benefits of the corridor. He emphasised that commercial and industrial ventures in the coastal town should ensure its economic development.

Lt Gen Amir Riaz, who was visiting Gwadar for the first time since his appointment as Commander of the Southern Command last month, remarked that the coastal town was the heart of Balochistan. He added that province’s representative government would protect their legitimate rights, including protection to their life, property and honour.



He pledged to work together with the civilian authorities for the betterment of the people in general, ensuring provision of basic and civic services to the people on priority basis.

“To me, people are more important. If they are happy then everything is okay and we are happy too,” Lt Gen Riaz said.

The high level meeting was extensively briefed on water supply to Gwadar Township and its surrounding localities. Naseebullah Bazai, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development, Chairman BDA and Secretary Public Health Engineering briefed the Chief Minister and others on Akra Kaur Dam, Sawar Dam and Shadi Kaur Dam and progress made on those projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2015.