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QUETTA: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday described integrated development of Balochistan the top most priority of PPP-led federal government which is evident from the unprecedented increased share of the province in NFC Award, the employment quota of Balochistan in the federal departments and development share of the province in the federal PSDP.
Talking to a PPP Balochistan delegation led by provincial president Mir Sadiq Umrani here, the prime minister mentioned Aghaz- e-Huqooq Balochistan package, payment of Rs 120 billion under Balochistan gas development surcharge and royalty which had been outstanding against the federal government since the gas was discovered from the province and several other initiatives being taken by the current federal government for development of Balochistan.
He said Rs 20 billion had already been paid to the province while remaining Rs 100 billion would be paid in 10 installments. He termed the payment of gas dues to the province a historic step which had been made possible by the PPP government.
The prime minister said that Managing Director of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation had been appointed from Balochistan while boards of all corporations of the federal government are being restructured in order to give due representation to Balochistan in their boards.
Referring to the share of Balochistan in NFC Award, the prime minister said it has been increased from 5.1 per cent to 9.09 per cent which increased Rs 50 billion for the province in the divisible pool.
Besides, an amount of Rs 3 billion had also been given by the federal government under Quetta package and the amount is being utilized on development of infrastructure in the province.
He said information technology center at Balochistan University of Information Technology has also been established at a cost of Rs 460 million which is about to be completed.
Mr Gilani said the parliamentarians from the province had been provided Rs 13.7 billion from the PM special fund in order to carry out development schemes in their respective areas.
On the occasion, the PM announced establishing of campuses of Balochistan University of Information Technology at Zhob, Kalat, Noshki, Pishin Qilla Abdullah and Gawadar districts.
He said LPG plants are also being established at Noshki, Dalbandin and Surab.
The PM also referred to his decision to ensure additional privileges to the individuals from the province who had been recruited in the federal capital so that they could live a decent life.
He also referred to the Prime Minister's Scholarship scheme for the students from Balochistan and said under the scheme, the scholarship holders would study in the prestigious institutions of the country on the government expenses.
Besides, Benazir Income Support Programme had been extended to all 30 districts of the province while 600 students from the province would be granted PhD scholarships at a cost of Rs. 50 billion, he added.
The Prime Minister also announced an amount of Rs. 0.5 million as financial assistance for Dur Mohammad, a citizen of Quetta who lost his family member in an act of terrorism in the provincial capital.
About law and order situation in the province, the Prime Minister said it was the responsibility of the provincial government to maintain law and order.
He, however, assured for the directing the provincial government to take concrete steps in this regard.
