ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has called for building more dams and sought federal government’s help to resolve the issue of water scarcity in the province.

Addressing a news conference at the Balochistan House here on Wednesday, the chief minister urged the federal government to take steps for building dams in the province. He said there was a need to build at least 18 dams in Balochistan and added that he had already discussed the matter with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Mr Baloch, who has been in the federal capital for the last couple of days in connection with a conference of the Balochistan Development Forum and a meeting of the National Action Plan, said the underground water level in the province was fast depleting and the shortage of water was badly affecting the agriculture sector.

He said the law and order situation in the province had improved since his National Party assumed office after the 2013 general elections. He expressed the hope that Balochistan would make progress with the improvement in the law and order situation.

The chief minister said he was making efforts to bring the dissident Baloch leaders to mainstream political activities.

Published in Dawn January 22nd , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play