Imran Khan gets comprehensive briefing on CPEC, other development projects in Balochistan
Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has received a comprehensive briefing about the development projects in Balochistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the government programs.
The PM chaired a meeting here to review the progress of development projects in Balochistan. The meeting was given a comprehensive overview regarding improvement in governance structure, execution of government-to-government projects, fisheries sector, command area development, agriculture sector and the establishment of nursing colleges.
It was also given a detailed briefing on road networks, power sector projects, projects by maritime affairs, information technology and telecom sector, industries and production and development projects in Gwadar, the hub of the CPEC.
About governance, the meeting was told that out of the total 161 projects, some 59 would be completed in the current fiscal year. The goal was being achieved by improved monitoring and governance both at the provincial and Federal levels, said an official statement released by the PM’s Office.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister stressed that expeditious execution of the CPEC and other development projects should be ensured along with the establishment of a robust permanent structure that would spur the development of deprived areas of Balochsitan in the long run.
The PM directed the concerned stakeholders to speed up the projects, especially those that have high impact on the livelihoods of the locals.
He underlined that uplift of the people of Balochistan was among top priorities of his government. “The government has prioritized the development projects according to their impact on the livelihood of the people of Balochistan,” he added.
The PM emphasized that the infrastructural development, development in agriculture, fisheries, power sector and subsidy on basic amenities, including the Ehsaas (care) Programme, were gradually gaining pace.
He further stated that industrialization and establishment of processing plants was being expedited for the economic uplift of locals. Protection of local fishermen by curbing illegal trawling activities was being ensured, he maintained.
The meeting was told that a total of 3,788 kilometers of road infrastructure was being developed in Balochistan to improve connectivity under the CPEC and government programs. The projects are already ahead of their stipulated timelines. Moreover, 796 km Karachi-Quetta-Chaman Road project was also underway and its on-ground work would commence very soon.
About the fisheries sector, the meeting was informed that one of the major concerns of the local fishermen was illegal fishing trawlers that had been addressed on a priority basis by the agencies concerned through improved patrolling . It also resulted in the conservation of the fishing stock.
In addition to that, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in collaboration with Kamyab Jawan Programme was providing loans to local fishermen for improvement of techniques and their boats, which included the installation of vehicle monitoring system.
The meeting was told that in order to efficiently manage the water resources and development of agriculture sector in the province, Command Area Development projects were being expedited. It was further told that the Katchi Canal project was nearing completion.
In addition, the meeting was informed that a foot-and-mouth disease free area was being established, where, besides the vaccination of cattle, proper facilities would be provided to meet international standards for the export of processed meat. It would not only generate foreign exchange by increasing exports, but also create jobs.
In the briefing on power and petroleum sector, the meeting was updated about the progress regarding ongoing power projects, including both mega and off-grid ones. Distribution of 3000 solar panels would commence soon.
A subsidy on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was proposed which would help the locals and resolve the issues pertaining to energy demands.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs informed the meeting about progress on import of Virtual Pipeline LNG whereby licenses were being granted that would further improve the gas situation in the province, especially in Gwadar.
About the IT sector and distance learning, the meeting was updated that till now, 6,372 trainings had been given to the local youth which had empowered them regarding the tech-related jobs.
Moreover, a programme including 35,000 trainings was being launched that would train the youth regarding free-lancing and other market competitive tech courses.
About air-connectivity, the meeting was briefed that the project of development of Turbat Airport was in the bidding stage and steps were being taken to increase flight operations between Turbat, Gawadar and Quetta.
On industrial development, the meeting was briefed about the progress on dates’ processing plants in Turbat, meat processing plants, metal parks including in the areas of Chaghi, Khuzdar, Lasbeela and Gwadar.
In addition, the government was engaging the private sector for a cost-sharing model of olive oil extraction plants in Khuzdar and other areas of the province, the meeting was apprised.
“The project of establishment of boat industry in Gwadar was underway with all stakeholders on board. The purpose of the project was to modernize the existing fleet of boats belonging to local fishermen,” the meeting was informed.
The meeting was also updated about the establishment of 1.2 million gallon water plant in Gwadar, which was expected to be completed before summer this year.
Federal ministers Shaukat Tarin, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Murad Saeed, Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar and Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bazenjo, Special Assistant to the PM on CPEC Khalid Mansoor, and senior civil and military officers concerned attended the meeting.
