QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch on Friday assured both local and foreign investors maximum support and protection, saying the development is critical to deal with poverty and militancy in the province.

Speaking at Balochistan Investment Conference — attended by over two dozen national and foreign investors including guests from China, South Korea and representatives of banks and multinationals — he expressed willingness to offer incentives to prospective investors.

“Balochistan has great potential in minerals, agriculture and livestock. Investors can come here as the current government has created an investment-friendly environment,” he said.

The province has natural resources and land but lacks trained manpower and finance, he said. “It is our desire that this deficit is dealt through private investment.”

Dispelling the negative security perception about Balochistan, the chief minister said the situation has improved to a great extent now.

“We’re aware that peace is necessary for launching development projects,” he said. “Balochistan is safer than Karachi and Peshawar. Investment would also be safe here as there is no bhatta (extortion) culture in the province.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Commander Southern Command Lt. General Muhammad Naseer Janjua termed Balochistan the future of Pakistan. “We have invited investors in Quetta for seeking their help in developing the province,” he said.

Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai said the political and military leadership were on one the same page for improving security situation holding back development. “Unrest and corruption are major hurdles in the way of development.”

He said that all the federating units should be benefited from the proposed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), but Balochistan has the first right.

JS Group Chairman Ali Siddique appreciated the provincial government’s vision and expressed the hope that the conference — organised by his group in collaboration with the Planning and Development Department Balochistan — would instil confidence in investors.

Earlier, Adviser to the Balochistan government on Economic Affairs Dr Kaiser Bengali, Additional Chief Secretary Nasibullah Bazai and other secretaries gave briefings on the government’s development policies.

Published in Dawn May 2nd, 2015

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