F.P. Report
QUETTA: Prime Minister Imran Khan while addressing ground-breaking ceremony of two mega projects Quetta-Zhob Double Carriageway and Balochistan Health Complex in Quetta, Friday said the progress of Balochistan was vital for development of the country.
He said the 305 km long double carriageway would become a real ‘game charger’ for the province as it would give basis to the development of Baluchistan through its linkage with underdeveloped areas.
He said western route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor should be given priority by previous regimes.
A number of federal and provincial ministers, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, high ranking officials and representatives from various departments were present on this occasion. The prime minister extended gratitude to COAS Bajwa for his all out support in establishing ‘Balochistan Health Complex’ which he said would address public health issues, particularly the cardiac diseases.
He said the centre was serious in providing basic necessities to the people of the province and hinted that a cancer hospital would also be established in Quetta in collaboration with provincial government and the armed forces. He further said in the past, it was difficult to import quality medical equipments and standardized medical practitioners in Balochistan.
“But we will Insha’ Allah establish a modern cancer hospital, equipped with latest technology as people have to face problems in taking their cancer patients to Lahore for treatment,” he added.
The prime minister also announced that railway connectivity would be established between Quetta and Taftan and informed that federal minister for railways was already working on this task.
He also underlined the importance of tree plantation and water conservation systems to meet forthcoming challenges and advised Balochistan government to take some initiatives at local level in these areas. He said scarcity of the local people could be addressed through skilled development centers. “By doing so, they will have job and business opportunities in the future” he added.
Lauding dedication of Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal for progress and prosperity of the province, the prime minister urged the provincial government to make master plan of Quetta.
He pointed out that population and cities expansion was interlinked and they needed to be administered through their master plans.
Master plans for Islamabad and Peshawar were being made by departments concerned, he maintained. The prime minister said good governance was the only way to serve the people. Highlighting salient features of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government system, he stressed the provincial government to adopt the same in Balochistan.
“We can uplift Balochistan by adopting the local government system like Khyber Pakhtunkhwaw to streamline the funds distribution at grass roots level in proper manner” he said. He noted that ‘Village Councils’ under local govt system had brought a significant change in funds allocation mechanism at lower level.
Reiterating his government’s resolve about New Pakistan, the prime minister said the government wanted real development in Balochistan. Criticizing previous governments, he said they did nothing for the development of the country as poor governance had resulted financial deficit. “Rs6 billion is being paid per day in lieu of loans which were borrowed by previous governments” he said and added, “We have to provide education, health and security to the people. We have come here not to win elections like previous practice, but to develop Balochistan along with Pakistan in real sense.”
He said such mega projects would bring ultimate prosperity in the country. “We will bring real change through revolutionary reforms in the society, he added.
In his welcoming address, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal appreciated the prime minister for his special consideration towards issues which were being faced by his province. He said Balochistan was an underprivileged province which needed special focus from the centre. He lamented that in the past, such decisions were imposed on the province which had no benefits for the people of province.
The chief minister said Balochistan government was fully committed to improve its condition; however, the support extended from present federal government and the armed forces were now bringing tangible progress in the province.
