QUETTA: Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar has said that federal government would soon announce a special package for development projects of Balochistan especially Southern areas of the province.
The minister, who is currently in Balochistan on a two-day visit, said on Monday agriculture is one of the seven major components of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and marine fishery can be a long-term boost for Baluochistan’s agro-economy and the province can be a leader in the value addition of crops.
He said PTI government is preparing a special package for the development of southern Balochistan. Asad Umar said that the government had allocated over 80 billion rupees for various projects in the province.
The minister further said Centre would extend full cooperation in the completion of the second and third phase of Kachi Canal project. During the visit to Khuzdar, the minister was briefed about the on-going development projects in Kalat Division. He also visited various areas in Khuzdar and Awaran.
The two-day visit is part of the government’s efforts to design and implement a development plan for southern Balochistan to improve the living standard of people in the area.
The federal minister’s visit comes three days after Prime Minister Imran Khan came to the province and lauded the performance of the provincial government under the leadership of CM Alyani.
He assured the chief minister of the centre’s full cooperation for the well-being and uplift of the province. “For Balochistan, our government has allocated the most funds in the PSDP,” he added, referring to the Public Sector Development Programme.
The premier said Balochistan had immense development potential and opportunities in terms of area and underscored that development priorities need to be set in the province. “The Kachhi Canal can open up immense potential for agricultural development,” PM Imran added.
In a remark on the COVID-19 outbreak, PM Imran said there “has been an improvement in the situation but we need to be much more careful”.