Balochistan's development essential for country's prosperity: Khusro Bakhtiar

Minister assured that govt would keep major share of Balochistan in budget for development schemes.

QUETTA (APP) – Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar Monday said the Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate Quetta Kuchlak-Zhob Highway soon at Western corridor project during his visit of Quetta because progress of Pakistan was linked with Balochistan’s development.

He said this project would be initiated in current financial year to ensure progress of Balochistan through which economy of the province could be enhanced.

Federal Minister Bakhtiar expressed these views while talking to media in a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister and other provincial minister regarding PSDP and CPEC issues.

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Jam Kamal Khan, provincial ministers including Zhahoor Ahmed Buledi, Haji Noor Muhammad Dummar, Zamark Khan Achakzai, Chief Secretary Dr. Akhtar Nazeer, member of provincial assembly (MPAs) Danish Kumar, and Lala Rasheed Baloch were present on the occasion.

Federal Minister said central government has launched major projects in Balochistan under financial year 2019/20 in which Gwadar to link with National Grade and there was an important infrastructure.

He said we have launched new chapter of social economic development with cooperation of China under China-Pak Corridor Economic (CPEC) project in which provision of energy, improvement of agriculture, water and enhancing skill of youth.

“Balochistan will provide big share in these projects in order to remove feeling of deprivation from province”, he said, adding despite the financial difficulties of the previous government that we have received in inheriting, but federal regime will give major share in development to Balochistan.

Bakhtiar said Chief Minister Balochistan had informed that 10 district were deprived from development schemes in past decade, because previous governments made plan only on political bases.

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Jam Kamal Khan was focusing on development of Balochistan with sincerity which was positive sign for the province, he said.

Federal Minister assured that central government would keep major share of Balochistan in upcoming budget for development schemes which would commence the new growth projects in province.

Replaying to a question, Federal Minister said Balochistan was ignored in Public Sector Development Project (PSDP) by previous governments which was pushed towards province backwardness due to most projects were based on political grounds and likes and dislikes.

He said federal government would start several mega projects in Balochistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan for ensuring real progress of province in future.

Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan said Balochistan was limited through announcement in federal PSDP in past tenure, despite, big boards were displayed under CPEC project but the fact is opposite and Western Roots of CPEC has not exist in federal previous PSDP.

He said Balochistan’s decisions were made in closing rooms in past for only people of few specific districts were beneficial, adding we were going to initiate new projects under transparent procedure in cooperation of the central regime.

“In this regard, Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Quetta and Gwadar soon for announcing CPEC project’s Western Root and other necessary plan”, he said, adding in past announcement of Quetta Put Feeder Canal and Quetta Mass Transit Train projects were made without completing of feasibility study.

He said our government was paying attention on collective schemes including dams, road sectors and other important segments in which federal government is supporting us in same fields.

Chief Minister Balochistan said National Highway Authority’s officials, agriculture, high officials of energy and other departments had visited Balochistan in recent months for helping flood hit areas.

He said a large population of Quetta was declared to part of Quetta Metropolitan Corporation (QMC) for first time by provincial government, adding now there would be focused on collective issues under Quetta Package for ensuring development of Quetta.