QUETTA: Balochistan should be exempted from the National Economic Council’s (NEC) decision to curtail development schemes, Chief Minister Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo said on Saturday, asking the federal government for sufficient funds for new projects in the current financial year.

In a meeting with Federal Planning Sec­retary Syed Zafar Ali Shah, who called on Mr Bizenjo in Quetta to review the ongoing federal development projects, the chief minister noted that 15 development schemes of the province were under consideration in the Central Develop­ment Working Party and executive committee of the NEC.

Other matters discussed during the meeting included the introduction of new development projects in next year’s federal public sector development programme (PSDP), the implementation of south Balochistan development package, and the development of Gwadar.

Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Dr Aftab Akbar, provincial ministers Noor Mohammad Dummar and Zamrak Khan Achakzai, Addi­tional Chief Secretary Planning and Develop­ment Hafiz Abdul Basit, and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Imran Gichki also participated in the meeting.

“Balochistan should be exempted from NEC’s decision in which development schemes are revised,” Mr Bizenjo said.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Flying ban reversal
01 Dec, 2024

Flying ban reversal

THE European Aviation Safety Agency has finally lifted the ban on flights of the national flag carrier to and from...
Kurram conflict
01 Dec, 2024

Kurram conflict

DESPITE a ceasefire being in place, violence has continued in Kurram tribal district. The latest round of bloodshed...
World AIDS Day
01 Dec, 2024

World AIDS Day

IT is a travesty that, decades after HIV/AIDS first perplexed medics, awareness about the disease remains low in...
PTI in disarray
Updated 30 Nov, 2024

PTI in disarray

PTI’s protest plans came abruptly undone because key decisions were swayed by personal ambitions rather than political wisdom and restraint.
Tired tactics
30 Nov, 2024

Tired tactics

Matiullah's arrest appears to be a case of the state’s overzealous and misplaced application of the law.
Smog struggle
30 Nov, 2024

Smog struggle

AS smog continues to shroud parts of Pakistan, an Ipsos survey highlights the scope of this environmental hazard....