QUETTA: The Balochis­tan Apex Committee at a meeting held in Islamabad on Friday reviewed the progress of work on a special package announced by the federal government for southern districts of the province.

The participants of the meeting stressed the need for accelerating the pace of work on the package.

Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo called upon the federal government to release the package as early as possible.

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Dr Jahanzeb Khan, Balochistan Chief Secretary Mathar Niaz Rana, Principal Secretary Lal Jan Jaffar and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Chief Secretary Rana and other officials briefed the meeting on the progress of work on development projects included in the southern Balochistan package.

Chief Minister Bizenjo directed the officials to expedite the work on the projects included in the package for nine districts in southern Balochistan. He termed the package an important step towards development of southern Balochistan, saying that it will help in removing backwardness in the area and bring a positive change to the lifestyle of the people.

He said areas in southern Balochistan were neglected in the past. According to him, the people of southern Balochistan are very happy over the announcement of the package by the federal government and they are looking forward to see development and prosperity in their areas. The chief minister said the development package included establishment of new markets in border areas of Balochistan, adding that these markets will create employment opportunities in these areas.

He said that at the request of the Balochistan government, Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised to announce a similar special development package for northern Balochistan. Under the southern Balo­ch­is­tan pack­age, Rs600 billion will be spent on different projects.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Failed martial law
05 Dec, 2024

Failed martial law

EVIDENTLY, freedom has its consequences: after transitioning to a democratic system of governance in the late 1980s,...
Holding the key
05 Dec, 2024

Holding the key

IN the view of one learned judge of the Supreme Court’s recently formed constitutional bench, parliament holds the...
New low
05 Dec, 2024

New low

WHERE does one go from here? In the latest blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban regime has barred...
Online oppression
Updated 04 Dec, 2024

Online oppression

Plan to bring changes to Peca is simply another attempt to suffocate dissent. It shows how the state continues to prioritise control over real cybersecurity concerns.
The right call
04 Dec, 2024

The right call

AMIDST the ongoing tussle between the federal government and the main opposition party, several critical issues...
Acting cautiously
04 Dec, 2024

Acting cautiously

IT appears too big a temptation to ignore. The wider expectations for a steeper reduction in the borrowing costs...