QUETTA, Nov 21: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch told a United Nations delegation on Thursday that his government needed assistance and cooperation in the fields of fisheries, agriculture and livestock management.

“Development of these sectors will not only usher in an era of progress in Balochistan but will also help in eliminating poverty in the province,” he told members of the delegation led by Timo Pikkala here.

The chief minister said a large quantity of rainwater was wasted in Balochistan and if big dams were built there would be an agricultural revolution in the province. He said plans were being made to develop Balochistan in consonance with the federal government’s Vision 2025, which would increase the provincial autonomy if acted upon in accordance with the spirit of the 18th Amendment.

He said the provincial government’s economic team was working to improve the performance of institutions and 24 per cent of the total budget had been allocated for the education and health sectors for the purpose.

“Six universities and three medical colleges are being established in the province,” Dr Baloch said, adding that his government was focussing on technical education to meet market and employment needs of the contemporary age.

He said gynaecological and surgical facilities were being provided in seven district hospitals while a vertical programme had also been initiated to reduce the mortal rate of mothers and infants.

About relief work in earthquake-hit Awaran district, the chief minister said that so far 1,000 trucks loaded with goods, including edibles, had been distributed among the affected people, adding that no reports of corruption or mismanagement were reported from any quarter.

He said plans were being worked out to rehabilitee the affected people and build for them houses equipped with modern facilities.

Additional Secretary Aslam Shakir and Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority Abdul Basit also attended the meeting.