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GWADAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced the provision of 200 acres of land for the establishment of a residential colony for the fishermen of Gwadar besides the distribution of 2,000 motorboat engines to help them earn a livelihood.
The prime minister stated this in an interaction with local fishermen at Gwadar Business Centre during his day-long visit to the port city.
The measures were announced in view of the problems faced by the fishermen of Gwadar in the shape of displacement and difficulty in access to the sea that was affecting the fishery sector.
The prime minister said his second visit during a month aimed at holding direct interaction with the fishermen and getting their feedback on issues concerning them.
To ensure merit-based distribution of marine engines among fishermen, he directed the Planning Ministry to define a criterion with a set of parameters at the earliest.
The process of transparent bidding, he said, would be carried out within three months in line with the PEPRA Rules.
PM Sharif assured the fishermen to address their problems on priority and said the development of the province was “useless” without resolution of the problems of the locals.
He said it was the responsibility of the government to address the challenges faced by the locals of Balochistan.
He said the federal government would take the provincial government on board for consultations on development projects.
On supply of clean drinking water, he said the Gwadar Development Authority had given assurance to complete the laying of new pipes by September.
Regarding electricity, the prime minister said 29-kilometer-long transmission lines for the supply of 100 megawatts from Iran was delayed by the previous government, whereas the Iranian side had completed the project at its end.
He said the government would bring this matter to the cabinet for approval to ensure the availability of power for Balochistan.
PM Sharif said the establishment of Gwadar University had been included in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and said maximum funds would be provided for the education of students at par with the rest of the country.
Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Qudoos Bazinjo linked the development of Gwadar with the prosperity of Pakistan.
He said the federal government had allocated 1652 million for the development of Balochistan projects including the supply of drinking water, and health and education facilities.
He said the provincial government gave approval to over 200 decisions aimed at the prosperity of locals.
