Rs 19.5Bln package announced for Balochistan Development
By 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has announced a package of Rs 19.5 billion for Balochistan to accelerate development activities for the welfare of the people.

Speaking to newsmen, Shaukat Aziz declared that thirty two thousand one hundred and forty new jobs would be available for all categories of posts to reduce unemployment in the province. It is a major step to end the sense of deprivation.

He said that Rs six billion would be provided under the NFC award. The Prime Minister said that each district council would receive Rs one hundred million a special federal grant for the development activities in their respective areas during the current year.

There are now 29 districts in the province. The Kohlu and Dera Bugti districts would be provided a total of Rs two billion fifty crore while Gwadar coastal town would receive Rs two billion.

He said Rs one billion have been allocated for construction of new airport at Gwadar and another Rs one billion for construction of roads and water supply schemes in Gwadar city.

Premier Aziz said that priority had been given to education and health facilities and the people would witness soon new era of prosperity on completion of mammoth development projects.

He announced that Balochistan would be given 200 bulldozers to promote agriculture.

About the law and order situation in the province Prime Minister said that it has improved and continues to improve improving. He made abundantly clear that there would be no compromise on the security of Pakistan. He maintained that Balochistan is heart of Pakistan.

Flanked by Governor Balochistan, Awais Ahmad Ghani and Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yusuf he unveiled a new “Vision for Balochistan,” devised in consultation with the provincial government.

The vision provides the policy guidelines and actions for a developed and prosperous Balochistan, creating employment opportunities, ensuring speedy development and promoting investment-friendly atmosphere.

The Prime Minister said the development package (the Incremental Financial Support 2006-07) includes additional Rs 6.3 billion to be provided to the province under the NFC Award, Rs 2 billion under gas development surcharge, Rs 2.1 billion deferment of federal government’s loan, Rs 2.9 billion special development programme for all districts of the province for micro level development.

Another Rs 2.5 billion for Kohlu and Dera Bugti districts, Rs 1.7 billion for construction of Labour Colony in Sui and Rs one billion each for Gwadar Development Authority and Gwadar International Airport are also included in the package.

He said that currently 138 projects of the federal government are in progress in Balochistan at a total cost of Rs 164 billion. He said that these projects have provided about 70,000 jobs to local youths of the province.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said 11,000 jobs had already been allocated for Balochistan under Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s programme in which 500 more vacancies would also be created this year.
Jobs

Some 160 vacancies at POF, Wah and Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, have also been allocated for Balochistan youth, he said.

The Prime Minister said 7,300 jobs would be provided to Balochistan people in Pakistan Army while 365 vacancies at Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Quetta would also be filled by the local youth, he said.

“Advertisements for these jobs would be published in local press while the recruitment will also be made in Balochistan itself for which teams will be deputed in the province,” he said.

“We will also launch an internship scheme in government departments all over the country under which youth would be given jobs in various departments at a monthly allowance of Rs 10,000. It will also create job opportunities for Balochistan people,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also referred to the Rozgar Scheme recently launched by President General Pervez Musharraf and said the youth of Balochistan can also benefit from this scheme under which the National Bank of Pakistan will provide soft loans.

He further said that the admission quota and scholarships for Balochistan students in various colleges and universities of the country have also been increased.

Replying to a question, he said the government is ready to talk to every body for broad consensus on national issues. The Prime Minister, however, vowed that no compromise would be made on stability, sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan.

Replying to another question, Shaukat Aziz said that a Senate committee under the chairmanship of Wasim Sajjad is working on provincial autonomy and the matter would be taken forward on the basis of its recommendations.

About the permanent solution of the financial crisis of Balochistan, the PM stressed the need for creating economic activities in the province through various sources, but said investment and better law and order situation are prerequisites which must be attained.

He said Balochistan has great potential in minerals and oil and gas sectors. Two big copper companies of the world from Canada and Chili are investing millions of dollar in the Recodik copper and gold project that will generate increased employment opportunities, he said.

Federal Ministers Muhammad Ali Durrani, Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind, Mir Naseer Mengal, Salim Saifullah Khan, Zubaida Jalal, senior provincial minister Maulana Abdul Wasey, finance minister Ehsan Shah, home minister, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani and senior officials were also present on the occasion. The Prime Minister also addressed notables from all over Balochistan at the Chief Minister Secretariat lawns.

About seven hundred elite from the province representing each district were present. Later they attended Iftar dinner hosted by Chief Minister Jam Yusuf. It was attended by Governor Balochistan Mr Owais Ahmed Ghani, federal and provincial ministers, senators, MNAs, MPAs and elite of the province besides media men persons.

Stressing the need for peace, Aziz said it is essential for progress and development. As a result of the development projects launched by the present government thousands of job opportunities have been generated for the people of the province.

Besides, the federal government has also enhanced the job quota reserved for the province from 3.5 percent to 5 percent which remained an outstanding demand of the people of the province.●