PM launches agri tube wells solarization initiative for Balochistan

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday launched a landmark initiative regarding the solarization of agricultural tube wells in Balochistan.

To this effect, an agreement to this was signed between the Federal and the Balochistan governments in Quetta.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with Federal Ministers, the Governor of Balochistan, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, and members of the provincial cabinet witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the Federal Government in collaboration with the Balochistan Government would convert around 28,000 agricultural tube wells of the province from electricity to solar energy.

He said the total cost of this project is 55 billion rupees of which seventy percent will be provided by the Federal Government, while the rest will be contributed by the Balochistan Government.

Shehbaz Sharif said Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has assured that the solarization of tube wells would be completed in three months. He said the solarization would help save around 90 billion rupees annually.

The Prime Minister said solarization of agricultural tube wells would ensure uninterrupted water supply to farmers in Balochistan.

He added that in the next phase, we are going for the solarization of one million agricultural tube wells across the country, saving 3.5 billion dollars, being spent on imported fuel every year.

Shehbaz Sharif said the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Balochistan Government, would undertake joint efforts for the development of the province.

He said a ten percent quota has been earmarked for the students of Balochistan, who will be sent to China at government expense for the latest professional training in the agriculture sector.  Similarly, a ten percent quota has been reserved for the students of Balochistan to get training in the field of Information Technology under the Chinese company Huawei.

He said the highly educated and skilled youth of Balochistan would certainly play an important role in the development of the province and the country.

The Prime Minister highlighted that funds have been allocated in the federal budget for the establishment of Danish Schools in Balochistan.

He expressed the hope that Governor Balochistan Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, and the entire provincial cabinet will continue playing their due role for the development and prosperity of the province. He also assured to take every possible step for the development and prosperity of Balochistan.