QUETTA: Provincial Agriculture Minister Zamrak Khan Achakzai claimed that the federal government had always neglected Balochistan in the development process as mega projects like metro train, green bus service and motorways had been executed in all the provinces except Balochistan.

“Even projects relating to drinking water, which is the basic need of the masses, are not completed in the province,” he said, adding that if the country was to be developed then the development process must start from Balochistan.

The minister was speaking at a consultative meeting which was organised by the Planning and Development Department. The Ministry of Planning and Development Reforms presented its 12th Five-Year Plan.

Members of Balochistan Assembly Gohram Bugti, Lala Rasheed, Additional Chief Secretary of the planning and development Abdul Rehman Buzdar and secretaries of different departments attended the meeting.

Mr Achakzai said that the federal government should focus on provision of drinking and irrigation water, education and mineral sectors besides financially helping the Balochistan government so that prosperity was ensured in the province.

“Balochistan has also been neglected in projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Despite the passage of 70 years, the province still lacks even a single kilometre of dual highway due to which massive road accidents are common on highways of the province, taking countless precious lives,” he regretted.

Mr Achakzai also stressed the need for construction of new dams and completion of old projects in the province, but regretted that due to lack of funds some under-construction projects were not being completed.

“Members of the federal Planning Commission’s team should sit with officials of the Balochistan government to discuss the federal government’s under-construction projects in the province and to give a timeline and timeframe for completion of these projects,” he said, adding that the centre should also not delay release of funds to the Balochistan government.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2019