QUETTA: The commissioner of Quet­­ta division, Mohammad Hamza Shaf­qaat, who is also administrator of the Quetta Metropolitan Corporation (QMC), told the media on Tuesday that it was decided to take corporation properties, worth billions of rupees, towards privatisation as numerous individuals, including traders, have been occupying these properties on ‘nominal rent’.

Speaking at joint press conference along with Dr Faysal Kakar, the chief executive of Balochistan Public-Private Partnership Authority, and Shahid Rind, spokesman for the provincial government, the QMC administrator said that notices have been served to the people who were taking benefit from these prosperities just paying very less rent that does not match with the existing market rate.

Hamza Shafqaat mentioned that the land of the ‘Baldia Café’ which is located in the heart of Quetta has a value of Rs2 billion, but the tenant has not paid its rent for the past six years, which was only Rs6,000 per month though the court had increased the monthly rent to Rs50,000. He said the lease had already expired and open tenders were being issued. He revealed that people were willing to pay Rs100,000 rent after constructing buildings at this location.

He also highlighted that the petrol pump at the taxi stand hadn’t paid

even Rs10,000 in the past 10 years. He questioned whether the citizens of Quetta should allow corruption of the city’s properties.

The QMC administrator noted that there was a mafia actively spreading negative propaganda on social media. He mentioned that 1,600 tonnes of garbage was produced every day in Quetta but only 400 tonnes of it could be removed due to paucity of funds. He said that Rs4bn was needed for garbage collection, but the authorities only had Rs900 million.

He highlighted that the IT Park, established in a building that had been closed for 12 years, will help create employment for 1,000 young people each year. Additionally, a master plan is being developed for Chaman with the private sector’s involvement, and work will also be done in Bostan. The properties of the QMC on Mastung Road will be activated as well.

He confirmed that the audit of the Safa Quetta project had been conducted, and 90pc satisfaction had been expressed with the results. He assured that by Dec 31, the cleaning system in Quetta’s Zone-I would be operational.

Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, mentioned the government had initiated projects under public-private partnerships. In the coming days, IT Park in Quetta, Circular Road Parking Plaza, an LPG terminal in Taftan, and the Chaman Master Plan would also be managed under public-private partnerships.

The Balochistan government aimed to maximise profits by collaborating with the private sector, rather than engaging in business operations itself.

He added that the chief minister recently held a meeting regarding Quetta’s cleanliness, and all issues would be resolved soon.

He criticised the mafia who, for the sake of small profits, were spreading baseless propaganda. He emphasised that anyone with concerns about any project could approach the relevant forum for redressal.

He also invited those who believe they could run a project better to participate in bidding.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2024