QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to abandon a copper and gold project in Chagai because it has not proved beneficial for the province.

The Balochistan cabinet took the decision last week after reviewing progress on the project, which is headed by nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand. (The project is not a part of the Reko Diq scheme).

Official sources said the cabinet observed that the provincial government had provided Rs1.62 billion, but officials responsible for making the project a success failed to deliver. “A huge amount was spent on recruitment of employees, construction of houses and purchase of costly vehicles,” they said.

Also read: Balochistan to stop funding copper, gold project

The provincial government had decided not to provide more funds for the project.

Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch confirmed the report. At a meeting with delegation of the Balochistan Newspaper Editors Council, he said the project would be abandoned because it was not in the interest of the province.

He urged media organisations to point out good as well as bad aspects of schemes and projects launched by the government.

The chief minister said media houses should promote investigative reporting and highlight shortcomings of ongoing development projects.

He said his government made the anti-corruption department functional and ordered investigation into 106 cases. The information management system had been introduced to trace out ghost and absentee teachers in Quetta.

The scheme would be implemented in all districts of the province in six months, he added.

“We do not claim that we have achieved all our targets, but we have made serious efforts to bring about positive changes in different sectors, including education and health.”

Dr Baloch refuted a report which appeared in a section of the press about encroachment in schools and other government buildings, but said he would order an inquiry into the matter.He complained that media was not giving due coverage to positive activities and development works of his government.

The chief minister assured the editors that his government would resolve the problems faced by the journalist community.

Published in Dawn February 18th , 2015

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