PM terms prosperity of Balochistan as govt’s key priority

Islamabad: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said the welfare and prosperity of the people of Balochistan are amongst top priorities of the government.

Chairing a meeting about matters related to Balochistan in Islamabad today, he said climate resilience and climate finance should be kept in view in all projects of irrigation in Balochistan.

The Prime Minister said matters pertaining to the construction of two-lane Khuzdar-Karachi highway should be expedited. He said this road will provide alternate route to different parts of the country and ensure easy connectivity.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also directed to immediately resolve financial problems of public sector universities of Balochistan.

Regarding the Kachhi Canal project, the Prime Minister instructed to constitute an inter-provincial committee, comprising caretaker minister for Planning and interim chief ministers of Punjab and Balochistan. He advised to construct check-dams to utilize water coming from mountain nullahs.

The Prime Minister instructed to install tracker system on trawlers to prevent poaching of fish in Pakistan's territorial waters. Besides, he directed to introduce a coordinated system, in cooperation with the National Highways and Motorways Police and NADRA, for the registration and fitness of vehicles.

Chief Secretary Balochistan briefed the meeting that the provincial government is taking all possible measures to ensure transparent elections and to this end, all instructions of the Election Commission of Pakistan are being implemented. It was informed that digitization of tax revenue collections is underway in Balochistan.

Regarding measures to give mining the status of an industry, it was told that a special Rescue 1122 center has been established in Quetta for the facilitation of miners. The meeting was informed that a coordinated vehicle testing system is being introduced to ensure safe journey on motorways, highways and roads in Balochistan. It was said that the Balochistan Government, in cooperation with the Federal Government, is taking measures against illegal fishing in the territorial waters of Pakistan.

The meeting was briefed that the data of all employees of the Balochistan Government is being verified from NADRA to enhance administrative transparency.

Caretaker Provincial Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki, Education Minister Dr Qadir Baloch, and Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir represented the Balochistan Government, while Caretaker Planning Minister Sami Saeed, Caretaker Minister for Law and Water Resources Ahmed Irfan Aslam and other concerned high officials represented the Federal Government.