Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said that development in Balochistan was the top priority of the government and launched several development projects in last three years for the well being of people of province.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony at Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology Khuzdar. On this occasion he laid foundation of Rs 800 million project to construct blocks , hostel and laboratory of the university. He said that government has allocated record funds for the universities of Balochistan and working to promote higher education in the province and establishing new universities in less-developed areas of the province to expand higher education network. The establishment of universities in Turbat,Zhob and Gwadar would provide the higher education opportunities to the local population in their areas, he added.
While expressing his views on CPEC he said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is fate changer for 3 billion people across the region . ”CPEC is the national project and politics on this will be injustice with the people of Pakistan ”, minister said. Government and all its functionaries are committed to accomplish its projects in letter and spirit that fall under the frame work of CPEC. He said that CPEC will equally benefit the most backward areas of Pakistan. It will not only connect 200 million of Pakistan rather it would open several avenues of cooperation for the people, communities and states across the region. He further added that no one will be allowed to sabotage this project of national importance.
He said that different energy projects under CPEC would help to overcome energy crisis by 2018 as 35$ billion will be spent in energy sector . Out of 35 $billion major amount of 11$billion will spent in Sindh while 9 $billion in Balochistan, he added. He further said that Gwadar-Quetta route would be completed by December 2016 while Gwadar -Khuzdar -Ratodero road would also complete on stipulated time.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal is on his three day visit to Balochistan to review different development projects. During his visit to Ziarat , he chaired meeting in Ziarat to review Prime Minister’s Rs one billion package for development of Ziarat as a model tourist city while protecting its forestry and environment. He said that Ziarat is full of apple, cherry, walnut and grape and directed to adopt cluster based approach and develop full value chains so that more jobs can be created through value addition.He said that Ziarat has become very popular tourist destination and a master plan will be developed for an integrated development of infrastructure. He also visited high school in Ziarat and chatted with students on the way to motivate them towards pursuit of knowledge. Minister also visited Ziarat Residency of Quaid-e-Azam and complemented authorities of the quality of work in reconstruction of the residency, which is restored in original shape after it was attacked by terrorists.
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