QUETTA: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has announced a 10-year development package for Balochistan to bring cities and towns of the province on a par with other developed areas of the country.

Under the equalisation development package, the people in every union council of the province would be provided all basic facilities, including education, drinking water and gas, the prime minister said while talking to journalists after presiding over two meetings — one on law and order and the other on development projects — at the Governor House here on Tuesday.

Balochistan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sana­ullah Zehri, federal ministers retired Gen Abdul Qadir Baloch and Mir Dostain Khan Domki, provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, Senator Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar and PM’s Adviser on National Security retired Gen Nasser Janjua were also present.

PM Abbasi said the federal and provincial governments would equally fund the development package, which would be launched during the current year. He said the package was proposed by CM Zehri during the meeting and the Centre had accepted it and assured the provincial government of all help and cooperation in its implementation.

In reply to a question, the prime minister said the present democratic government would complete its five-year term in June next year and after that the process of elections would be started in accordance with the Constitution.

He said the government was fully functioning and all institutions were performing their responsibilities under the Constitution and laws. “The Constitution is supreme and there should be rule of law in the country.”

Mr Abbasi said the meeting on development schemes reviewed the Sui Southern Gas Company’s Rs20bn project regarding mixing of LPG in the gas supply system and other projects worth Rs80bn, including those being carried out under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These projects would be reviewed on a monthly basis, he added.

The prime minister said he would visit Balochistan after every two months to review the pace of work on development projects launched by the federal and provincial governments.

Earlier, Mr Abbasi told the participants of the meeting that the socio-economic development of Balochistan was a priority of his government.

Additional chief secretary (development) Qamar Masood briefed the meeting on development projects, including the CPEC, solar-powered tube wells, special economic zones, water management and oil and gas exploration.

Chairing the meeting on law and order, PM Abbasi said the sacrifices rendered by law enforcement personnel for bringing peace to Balochistan were unmatchable. He reiterated that the federal government would provide full support to the Balochistan government in improving the law and order situation.

Home Secretary Dr Mohammad Akbar Harifal briefed the meeting on law and order and the steps being taken by the provincial authorities to curb terrorism and militancy in Balochistan. Security measures for Shia pilgrims were also discussed.

The meeting offered Fateha for the martyrs of terrorist incidents.

Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, FC Inspector General Maj Gen Nadeem Anjum, Police IG Moazzam Jah Ansari and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2017